Kamala Harris’ tech allies on track to raise over $100 million as they work to win over Silicon Valley skeptics

Kamala Harris’ tech allies on track to raise over 0 million as they work to win over Silicon Valley skeptics


Harris seems to be more of a friend to Big Tech than Biden and Trump, says Evercore ISI's Mark Mahaney

Vice President Kamala Harris’ allies in the tech community have launched a behind-the-scenes lobbying campaign to convince wealthy donors to back her campaign for president, according to people familiar with the matter.

Longtime investors Reid Hoffman and Ron Conway have been among Harris’ allies in Silicon Valley privately calling on those in their networks to support the vice president over former President Donald Trump, these people explained.

The conversations have been ongoing since Sunday, when President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris, according to people who described the discussions to CNBC.

Conway has even attempted to recruit venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, according to three people familiar with the outreach who, like others in this story, were granted anonymity to discuss private conversations.

The move was noteworthy because the two founders of the venture capital firm Andreesen Horowitz have already said they are going to support Trump, and plan to donate to a pro-Trump political action committee.

Hoffman convinced Netflix chairman Reed Hastings to support Harris with a $7 million donation to a pro-Harris PAC, according to The Information.

Hastings, who has been a longtime Democratic donor, said shortly after Biden left the race and backed Harris that, “Dem delegates need to pick a swing state winner.”

But two days later, Hastings backed the former California senator, writing on social media, “congrats to Kamala Harris — now it is time to win.”

A source familiar with the lobbying push by Conway, Hoffman and others estimates that their efforts alone are on track to raise over $100 million from major tech industry donors.

Harris candidacy is opportunity for Dems to recalibrate with Big Tech: Bessemer Venture's Deeter

That money is being directed to a combination of groups: Harris’ campaign, her supportive political action committees and 501(c)(4) dark money groups, which do not publicly disclose their donors.

Hastings, as well as representatives for Conway and Hoffman, did not reply to emails from CNBC seeking comment. A spokeswoman for Andreesen Horowitz declined to comment. The company’s co-founders did not return an email seeking comment.

Conway and Hoffman have each endorsed Harris. Conway notably said that the “tech community must come together to defeat Donald Trump,” in a social media post praising Harris.

Part of the pitch from Harris’ allies in the tech community to skeptics is a pledge that, if Harris is elected president, she will be open to meeting with business leaders and hearing their concerns, according to two people familiar with the effort.

Another part of the pitch is their argument that tech investors who support Trump made the wrong choice because they thought Biden was the shoo-in nominee. Now, with Harris leading the Democratic ticket, they have a chance to change their minds to come back to her instead, these people said.

Read more CNBC politics coverage

“The train is leaving the station and it’s clear you got on the wrong one. And she will be open to hearing out new ideas,” a person said, describing the calls.

So far, the results of the tech campaign are mixed.

“I don’t think it’s going to work. They know her record on tech,” said an advisor to cryptocurrency executives. He pointed to Harris’ record, starting with her election as California’s attorney general in 2011.

Harris has held varying positions on tech regulation both as AG and in the Senate.

In 2019 as a senator of California she said “we have to seriously take a look at [a Facebook breakup],” according to Fortune.

Last year, she hosted four tech CEOs of Sam Altman, Dario Amodei, Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai at the White House “to share concerns about the risks associated with AI.”

But in March, Harris told ABC News that the administration does not “intend to ban TikTok.” One month later, Biden signed a bill into law that could ban TikTok from use in the United States unless its parent company, China-based ByteDance, agrees to sell the social media asset by early 2025.

Another obstacle for Harris’ allies is the perception in Silicon Valley that the Biden administration has over regulated their industry.

Crypto and AI, two of the fastest growing sectors of the tech industry, have complained mightily in recent years as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Trade Commission have taken aim at major players.

The belief that tech has been unfairly treated by the Biden administration contributed to the decision of some high profile executives to back Trump.

Billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, for instance, has become a vocal Trump supporter. It’s not yet clear however, whether his vocal support will translate into a massive amount of campaign cash to help Trump and Sen. JD Vance get elected.

Crypto investors Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss have each donated at least $1 million in bitcoin to the Trump 47 Committee, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Some of that money was reportedly refunded because each check exceeded the $844,600 legal limit.



Source

Trump says furniture tariffs are coming later this year
Politics

Trump says furniture tariffs are coming later this year

A shopper looks at chairs for sale at an At Home store in Queens, New York City, U.S., July 15, 2025. Kylie Cooper | Reuters The Trump administration has launched an investigation into imported furniture, President Donald Trump said Friday, setting the stage for new tariffs on a wide range of products. “Within the next […]

Read More
Ghislaine Maxwell interview released by DOJ
Politics

Ghislaine Maxwell interview released by DOJ

Ghislaine Maxwell on September 20, 2013 in New York City. Laura Cavanaugh | Getty Images A top Department of Justice official questioned sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell about interactions with President Donald Trump — a former friend of Epstein — during a two-day interview in July, newly released transcripts revealed Friday. Deputy Attorney […]

Read More
John Bolton was not targeted for criticizing Trump, Vance claims after FBI raid
Politics

John Bolton was not targeted for criticizing Trump, Vance claims after FBI raid

FBI members carry boxes to the home of the former White House national security adviser John Bolton as it is searched by FBI, in Bethesda, Maryland, U.S., August 22, 2025. Tasos Katopodis | Reuters The law enforcement investigation of former Trump national security advisor John Bolton is “in the very early stages,” Vice President JD […]

Read More