David Sacks: Silicon Valley’s Political Power Player

At the intersection of technology, venture capital, and right-wing politics, the star of tech mogul David Sacks has risen prominently in recent years. From PayPal executive to Trump’s AI & Crypto Czar, Sacks represents a new breed of tech tycoon whose influence extends far beyond Silicon Valley boardrooms into the corridors of political power.

From South Africa to Silicon Valley

Born on May 25, 1972, in Cape Town, South Africa, Sacks followed a path that would eventually lead him to become one of the most influential entrepreneurs in American tech. After immigrating to the United States, he received his education at the University of Chicago Law School, graduating in 1998.

His Silicon Valley journey began in earnest when he joined PayPal in 1999 as Chief Operating Officer. At PayPal, Sacks was instrumental in building key teams and oversaw product management, sales, and marketing functions. This early chapter placed him squarely within what would later be known as the “PayPal Mafia” – a legendary group of executives including Peter Thiel and Elon Musk who went on to found and fund numerous successful tech ventures.

Entrepreneurial Success

Following PayPal’s $1.5 billion acquisition by eBay in 2002, Sacks embarked on a remarkable entrepreneurial journey:

• He briefly ventured into Hollywood, producing the critically acclaimed film “Thank You for Smoking” and later “Dalíland”
• In 2008, he founded Yammer, an enterprise social networking service that was acquired by Microsoft for $1.2 billion just four years later
• As an angel investor, he made early bets on Facebook, Uber, SpaceX, and Airbnb, cementing his reputation for identifying transformative companies
• In 2017, Sacks co-founded Craft Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on SaaS and marketplace models that has become a significant player in tech investing

His entrepreneurial success positioned him as a respected voice in Silicon Valley, with insights that extended from product development to company building and investment strategy.

The Twitter Chapter: Musk’s Right-Hand Man

One of the most notable recent chapters in Sacks’ career has been his involvement with Twitter (now X) during and after Elon Musk’s controversial acquisition of the platform in 2022. As part of Musk’s inner circle, Sacks played a pivotal role in advising on the company’s transition.

Notably, Sacks was heavily involved in Twitter’s content moderation decisions following the acquisition. He advocated for restoring accounts associated with the MAGA movement and was a key voice in Musk’s “war room” during the early days of the transition. His involvement highlighted his growing influence at the intersection of tech and politics.

According to NBC News, Sacks was one of several influential men who shaped Musk’s approach to Twitter, helping guide decisions that would dramatically reshape the platform’s policies and direction. Though reports later emerged of tensions with Musk during technical meetings, Sacks himself denied being dismissed from any meetings, highlighting the complex dynamics within Musk’s advisory circle.

The All-In Podcast and Growing Political Influence

Sacks’ political evolution has been increasingly visible through his co-hosting of the popular “All-In” podcast alongside fellow venture capitalists Jason Calacanis, Chamath Palihapitiya, and David Friedberg. The podcast, which discusses tech, economics, and politics, has given Sacks a platform to articulate views that have increasingly aligned with right-wing reactionary positions.

While his early political donations spanned both parties – including contributions to Republicans John McCain and Mitt Romney, and Democrats Hillary Clinton and Gavin Newsom – Sacks has increasingly moved rightward in recent years. His criticisms of alleged Big Tech censorship, skepticism about U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts, and advocacy for cryptocurrency deregulation have positioned him as an influential voice in right-wing tech circles.

From Silicon Valley to Trump’s White House

By 2024, Sacks had become a vocal supporter of Donald Trump‘s presidential campaign. His political involvement reached new heights when he hosted a $300,000-per-head fundraiser for Trump, demonstrating both his financial commitment and access to wealthy donors in the tech community.

Following Trump’s election victory, Sacks’ political influence was formalized with his appointment as the “White House AI & Crypto Czar” in December 2024. In announcing the appointment, President-elect Trump tasked Sacks with “guiding policy on artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency” – two domains where Sacks has significant expertise and strong opinions.

This appointment represents a remarkable evolution for a figure who was once primarily known for his business acumen. As one of several “PayPal Mafia” members to secure positions of influence in the Trump administration, Sacks exemplifies how a certain segment of Silicon Valley has forged connections with right-wing politics.

AI Influence and Vision

While much of Sacks’ recent attention has focused on his political activities, his influence in AI circles is similarly outsized. Through Craft Ventures, Sacks has invested in numerous AI startups, and his appointment as AI Czar signals his growing power in the field.

His perspective on AI regulation appears to align with the broader right-wing and libertarian tech approach: skepticism of heavy-handed government intervention while promoting American technological leadership. As AI policy becomes increasingly consequential for national security and economic competitiveness, Sacks’ dual background in technology and politics positions him uniquely to shape the administration’s approach.

Reports in December 2024 suggested that Sacks’ role might be scaled back due to his Silicon Valley commitments, but his influence on the administration’s tech policy is likely to remain significant regardless of his formal title.

The Right-wing Tech Movement

Sacks represents a growing contingent of tech leaders who have embraced Republican politics, alongside figures like Peter Thiel and Elon Musk. This movement challenges the perception of Silicon Valley as a uniformly progressive environment and highlights how tech wealth and influence are increasingly flowing into GOP causes.

His journey reflects broader tensions in the tech industry about free speech, deregulation, and the relationship between government and technology companies. As described by The New Republic, Sacks has emerged as something of a “prophet of populism” in Silicon Valley circles – articulating a vision that combines tech innovation with skepticism of established institutions.

Legacy and Future Influence

As Sacks navigates his new role bridging Silicon Valley and Washington DC, his legacy continues to evolve. From PayPal product leader to political advisor, his career demonstrates the increasingly blurred lines between technology and politics in contemporary America.

Whether advising on Twitter’s content policies, investing in the next generation of AI startups, or shaping cryptocurrency regulations, Sacks exemplifies how tech expertise can translate into political capital. His ability to move between these worlds – speaking both the language of product development and policy formation – makes him a uniquely influential figure in both domains.

For those watching the intersection of technology and politics, David Sacks represents a case study in how Silicon Valley’s influence extends far beyond consumer products and into the fundamental questions of governance in the digital age. As AI, crypto, and social media continue to reshape society, figures like Sacks who understand both the technical and political dimensions will likely wield outsized power within these conversations.