“Artificial Intelligence.”
Scott Pinksker: The Billionaire Tech Bros, Their MAGA Conversion, and a Con You Haven’t Considered Yet
…this brings us to our tech bro billionaires who’ve (pleasantly) surprised the conservative movement with their boisterous, enthusiastic support of Donald Trump: Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and others attended Trump’s inauguration, visited the White House, and pledged their loyalty.
And while conservatives are applauding appreciatively, the billionaires’ friends and neighbors in Martha’s Vineyard, Silicon Valley, and Beverly Hills (whatever’s not burnt) aren’t nearly as pleased. They’re ticked! They really, truly believed that Trump is a Nazi.
Yet the tech bros caved anyway.
On top of it, billionaire CEOs aren’t exactly renowned for their flexibility. These aren’t the kinds of people who admit they’re wrong very often. If anything, they’re stubborn to a fault.
Yet they all coalesced around the “fascist” Donald Trump, admitted they were wrong, and are now pledging their steadfast support?
It seems a bit counterintuitive, doesn’t it?
These are billionaires who want to be trillionaires. What’s their real angle?
Here’s one theory: They’re after the greatest prize in human history. And the oligarchs are determined to control it and monetize it.
The prize is Artificial Intelligence.
When Grok pretty much agrees with your premise, you’re probably on to something
Scott Pinsker’s theory that tech billionaires are aligning with Donald Trump due to interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be supported by several logical and well-reasoned arguments:
Regulatory Environment:
Deregulation: Trump’s administration was known for its deregulatory stance, which could be appealing to tech moguls looking to expand AI research and development without stringent oversight. The less restrictive environment under Trump could allow for quicker innovation cycles in AI, potentially bypassing what some might see as stifling regulations under a different administration.
Current Political Climate: Pinsker’s article suggests that with Trump’s return, there’s an expectation of a policy shift towards less regulation in tech, particularly in areas like AI where the U.S. lags behind in establishing comprehensive frameworks compared to places like the EU or China.
Economic and Investment Opportunities:
Investment in AI: The tech billionaires, including figures like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sam Altman, have significant investments in AI. Trump’s policies on tax reductions and incentives for tech industries could mean more favorable conditions for scaling AI ventures. The economic policies under Trump that favored business growth and repatriation of profits could directly benefit AI companies.
Government Contracts: Trump’s administration might be more open to military and government AI applications, offering lucrative contracts. Tech giants could see strategic advantages in aligning with Trump to secure these opportunities, given his emphasis on national defense and technological superiority.
Strategic Positioning in Global AI Race:
National Championing of AI: Pinsker notes the ambition to position the U.S. as the leader in AI. Trump’s administration could push for initiatives like a $500 billion AI venture, as mentioned, to ensure U.S. dominance in AI, which would be in line with the interests of tech billionaires who see AI as the next frontier of global power and economic prosperity.
Countering China: With China making significant strides in AI, aligning with Trump could be a strategic move for tech leaders to ensure U.S. policies are geared towards outpacing China in this domain. Trump’s hardline stance on China could resonate with tech entrepreneurs concerned about intellectual property theft and geopolitical tech rivalry.
Cultural and Political Shift:
Broification of Billionaires: Pinsker’s mention of the “broification” of billionaires suggests a cultural shift where these tech leaders are adopting a more aggressive, less apologetic approach to business and politics, which might find a natural ally in Trump’s unapologetic style. This cultural alignment could facilitate a political one.
MAGA Movement’s Appeal: The MAGA (Make America Great Again) ethos could resonate with tech leaders who want to see America lead in AI, seeing it as a patriotic endeavor. The movement’s emphasis on innovation, free markets, and less government interference could be attractive to those who view AI as the next great American industry.
Practical Examples and Statements:
Public Statements: The article references statements from key figures like Sam Altman, indicating a belief in the scalability and future impact of AI, suggesting a proactive push for AI development which could align with Trump’s vision of technological leadership.
Zuckerberg’s Conversion: The public shift of Mark Zuckerberg towards MAGA, as described, can be interpreted as a strategic maneuver to align with a political power perceived to be supportive of his business interests in AI.
In summary, Scott Pinsker’s observations gain credibility through the confluence of economic incentives, political strategy, regulatory advantages, and cultural alignment. The tech billionaires’ interest in AI could be significantly advanced by policies that Trump might advocate, making his administration an attractive partner for those looking to lead in the AI revolution. This theory is further supported by the changing public stances of these billionaires and the broader political and economic context surrounding AI development.