Billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates expressed surprise during an interview published on Thursday about Silicon Valley’s recent shift to the right. Gates, who supported former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, acknowledged that he had always perceived Silicon Valley as being left-of-center. He expressed his surprise at the significant presence of a right-of-center group in the region.
After President Donald Trump’s victory, Gates met with him and reported that the president was receptive to the issues he had raised. Gates reiterated his intention to engage with the current administration in a similar manner to the first Trump administration.
Gates also mentioned his contribution of $50 million to Future Forward, the “principle outside funding group” that supported Harris. He emphasized the positive impact of sharing information online, highlighting the unforeseen challenges that have emerged. Gates further discussed Facebook and Twitter’s roles in society, expressing his dismay at the negative consequences they have brought.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Gates shared his impressions of his meeting with President Trump. He described the president as energized and eager to contribute to innovation. Gates was particularly impressed by the president’s genuine interest in the issues he had brought up.
