Elon Musk has reignited a controversial political discussion by sharing what he calls "proof" that LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, a major Democratic donor in the tech industry, publicly expressed a wish for former President Donald Trump to have been killed during an assassination attempt. The Tesla CEO posted on X, formerly Twitter, quoting former Department of Government Efficiency advisor Katie Miller, who highlighted Hoffman's remarks from a July 2024 conference.
The Controversial Exchange at Sun Valley Conference
During the July 2024 Sun Valley conference, a tense exchange occurred between tech billionaires Peter Thiel and Reid Hoffman. Thiel sarcastically thanked Hoffman for funding lawsuits against Donald Trump, suggesting these legal actions had inadvertently turned Trump into "a martyr" and boosted his re-election prospects. Hoffman responded with his own sarcastic retort, stating, "Yeah, I wish I had made him an actual martyr."
This remark, made just days before an actual assassination attempt on Trump, was initially intended as dark humor critiquing Thiel's support for the former president. However, it quickly sparked significant backlash, with critics accusing Hoffman of wishing violence upon Trump. Hoffman later clarified that his comment was not a literal endorsement of harm but rather a sarcastic response within the context of the debate.
Elon Musk's Intervention and Public Reaction
Elon Musk brought this incident back into public consciousness by sharing Miller's post, which included screenshots from the conference exchange. Musk wrote, "Just a reminder that Reid Hoffman really did say in a public forum that he wished President Trump had been killed in the assassination attempt." This post has generated renewed discussion about the boundaries of political discourse among tech leaders.
Reid Hoffman's Broader Political Stance
Beyond this specific incident, Reid Hoffman has been vocal about his concerns regarding tech leaders' neutrality in political matters. He has argued that remaining silent about the Trump administration represents a risky approach for the technology industry. During podcast appearances and in op-eds, Hoffman has emphasized that the belief political turbulence will simply pass is "dangerous" for business interests.
In a recent editorial for The San Francisco Standard, Hoffman wrote explicitly about the need for Silicon Valley to take a stand. "Silicon Valley can't bend the knee to Trump. We can't shrink away and just hope the crisis will fade," he stated. "We know now that hope without action is not a strategy — it's an invitation for Trump to trample whatever he can see, including our own business and security interests."
The Ongoing Debate About Tech and Politics
This incident highlights the increasingly complex relationship between technology leaders and political figures. As major donors and influencers, figures like Reid Hoffman and Elon Musk wield significant power in shaping public discourse. Hoffman's remarks and Musk's decision to highlight them demonstrate how tech industry politics continue to intersect with national political debates.
The controversy also raises questions about appropriate boundaries for political expression in professional settings. While Hoffman intended his comment as sarcasm within a specific context, its timing relative to an actual assassination attempt created serious repercussions. The episode serves as a cautionary tale about how public statements from influential tech figures can be interpreted and amplified in today's polarized political climate.
