President-elect Donald Trump has appointed venture capitalist David Sacks as the White House artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency czar, a newly created position in the administration. Sacks will also lead the president’s Council of Advisors for Science and Technology, focusing on AI and crypto policymaking. His responsibilities include establishing a legal framework for the crypto sector, protecting digital free speech, and addressing issues of “Big Tech bias and censorship.” Many in the tech industry have praised Trump’s choice of Sacks for the role. Sacks, a Silicon Valley investor, has a background in entrepreneurship, investing, and innovation, making him well-suited for the position at a critical moment in the industry’s development. Born in South Africa, Sacks studied at Stanford University and the University of Chicago Law School. He co-authored a book with Peter Thiel in 1995 and played a key role in the creation of PayPal. Sacks has launched or invested in various web properties since his time at PayPal, including Geni.com and Yammer. He co-founded Craft Ventures, a successful firm with $2 billion in assets under management. Sacks has also made angel investments in companies like Airbnb, Facebook, and SpaceX. He has been an early supporter of cryptocurrencies, predicting their transformative impact on the internet. Sacks is also known for his work in the film industry, producing movies like “Thank You for Smoking” and “Daliland.” Additionally, he co-hosts the popular “All-In” podcast with other venture capitalists, covering a wide range of topics with notable guests.
Tech
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Politics
In the past, Sacks has made donations to both Democratic and Republican candidates. He supported Mitt Romney’s 2012 White House bid and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign.
More recently, he has been actively involved in sponsoring fundraisers for JD Vance and Blake Masters for their GOP senate campaigns.
During the 2024 election, Sacks generously contributed to the campaigns of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.), Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Trump. He organized a campaign fundraiser for Trump in June, raising approximately $12 million. Sacks also publicly announced his support for Trump’s second term in the White House.
Additionally, Sacks was a speaker at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
