How David Sacks' AI and crypto policies in Trump's White House benefit his investments, those of his Silicon Valley friends, and the All-In podcast he co-hosts
Calls Conflict Claims “Nothing Burger” Mike Pearl / Gizmodo : 438 Reasons to Doubt that David Sacks Should Work for the Federal Government Mark Toon / Protos : David Sacks sends silly legal threat to the New York Times Namrata Sen / Benzinga : Trump's Crypto Advisor David Sacks Hits Back At Conflict-Of-Interest Report As ‘A Bunch Of Anecdotes,’ Calls It ‘Willfully Mischaracterized’ emptywheel : David Sacks and the Entire American Tech Stack Win! Jesse Coghlan / Cointelegraph : David Sacks calls NYT report on conflicts of interest a ‘nothing burger’ Heather Cox Richardson / Letters from an American : On Friday evening, the Wall Street Journal published an article about the Trump administration's … Chris Castle / Music Technology Policy : NYT: Silicon Valley's Man in the White House Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends Blockchain.News : Paolo Ardoino Defends David Sacks, Calls Attacks Meritless — USDT Sentiment Watch as US Crypto and AI Support Highlighted Anthony Ha / TechCrunch : New report examines how David Sacks might profit from Trump administration role Gil Duran / The Nerd Reich : Silicon Valley Sacks Washington Alexander Willis / Raw Story : ‘Tech bros are out of control!’ Trump's crypto czar is driving a wedge into MAGA Steve M. / No More Mister Nice Blog : REPUBLICAN RESISTANCE TO TRUMPISM SEEMS AWFULLY SELECTIVE Alex Henderson / Alternet.org : ‘Tech bros out of control’: Trump's Silicon Valley czar exposes divisions in MAGA X: David Sacks / @davidsacks : ...Five months ago, five New York Times reporters were dispatched to create a story about my supposed conflicts of interest working as the White House AI & Crypto Czar. Through a series of “fact checks” they revealed their accusations, which we debunked in detail... As it became clear that NYT wasn't interested in writing a fair story, I hired the law firm Clare Locke, which specializes in defamation law. I'm attaching Clare Locke's letter to NYT so readers have full context on our interactions with NYT's reporters over the past several months. [image] Paolo Ardoino / @paoloardoino : David Sacks has done a phenomenal job leading support to AI and Crypto in the United States. The current attack against him is truly meritless. As always ask yourself who benefits from this. Btw the group attacking him is the same attacking Elon (and Tether). @DavidSacks Ryan Mac / @rmac18 : Today's been a good example of what X has become: complaints from a subset of wealthy tech folks about a story that circulate more widely than the actual story itself. Musk bought the platform to control the message and he and his friends are getting just that. Seth Abramson / @sethabramson : It will take America decades to recover from what these robber barons did to us. They destroyed our government, caused untold pain to the average American directly and indirectly, and used our money as their piggy bank. All of it *should've* been criminal. https://www.nytimes.com/... Antonio García Martínez / @antoniogm : The NYT lines up the usual passel of tech journos, runs the 2018 hit piece playbook, and only manages to make @DavidSacks look like the perfect man for the job. Finally, someone running AI and crypto...who actually knows about the business of AI and crypto. [image] @naval : There are lies, damned lies, and NYT headlines. [image] Kyle Tibbitts / @kyletibbitts : Left wing propagandists at The New York Times either can't or don't want to understand this. We'd be lucky to have more like @DavidSacks in government. David Marcus / @davidmarcus : This hit job by the @nytimes on @DavidSacks couldn't be more misguided. We should celebrate competent people with real world and business experience spending their precious time serving American interests and the American people instead of inventing nonsensical BS because your favorite incompetent technocrats aren't in power anymore... Charles Gasparino / @cgasparino : Yes this is a great piece of reporting on @DavidSacks and yes, the scandal here is really a nothingburger. Of course, David will benefit from AI and tech innovation whether he's in the White House or not. I would rather him in there making sure we remain a leader in this Sunny Madra / @sundeep : We, as a nation, are fortunate to have @DavidSacks dedicating his time and effort to propelling AI and Crypto leadership for 🇺🇸 For those of us who aspire for America's continued leadership, having David in the administration serves as a crucial enabler Thank you @davidsacks47 [image] Dan Primack / @danprimack : Lot of people sending me the NY Times story on @DavidSacks. Outside of the All-In sponsorship proposal — which feels oblivious at best, corrupt at worst — I'm not seeing much in there that's new (at least to those who've been following). Julia Davis / @juliadavisnews : Silicon Valley's Man in the White House Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends David Sacks, the Trump administration's A.I. and crypto czar, has helped formulate policies that aid his Silicon Valley friends and many of his own tech investments. https://www.nytimes.com/... Alex Kolicich / @alexkolicich : This failing @nytimes hit piece on David is one of those moments when I know enough to see the media narrative is bogus I can confidently say both @DavidSacks and @JTLonsdale have reduced their own wealth to take unpopular positions to fix the country — as matters of duty. John Jackson / @hissgoescobra : David Sacks, one of the biggest Russian propagandists who spent his speech at the RNC spouting Kremlin talking points, has also spent his time at the White House bathing in corruption. Unsurprising. But the impacts go far beyond dollars. https://www.nytimes.com/... Sam Adler-Bell / @samadlerbell : “mega rich guy affronted by responsible journalism”: one of the major posting genres on the X platform Ramez Naam / @ramez : I disagree with David on some political issues. So far as I can tell, though, he has gone out of his way to divest himself of investments that would create conflicts of interest with his role in the White House. He's done what we ask of public servants here, unlike many others. @amuse : DRIVE-BY MEDIA: David Sacks just blew up NYT's 5 month smear job. Every allegation collapsed, NYT moved the goalposts, and the final story is a nothing burger. He released the receipts. David Sacks says five NYT reporters spent months manufacturing accusations about his work as [image] Garry Kasparov / @kasparov63 : Sacks' devotion to publicly kissing Putin's ass is not a distraction from his corruption, it's an intrinsic part of it. As with Witkoff, Russian money and voices are always there. The Trump admin reacts so strongly to the “Russia hoax” evidence because it's actually much worse. Joshua Steinman / @joshuasteinman : Genuine tossup as to which will have a greater net positive impact on humanity: David (1) working in the White House, or (2) hiring one of the world's top defamation firms to sue the New York Times. Bill Ackman / @billackman : Agreed. Ryan Mac / @rmac18 : @shaunmmaguire @DavidSacks That is not our determination. If you actually read the screenshot you posted in your next tweet, we write that *the White House* said that Sacks had “initiated or completed divestment of over 99% of your holdings in companies that could potentially raise a conflict of interest [image] @kakashiii111 : Finally the press is paying attention and has investigated David Sacks and his lobbying efforts to benefit Nvidia and his friends. I have been calling this out since the very beginning, ever since David Sacks started his role. Worth reading. John Furrier / @furrier : @davidmarcus ... It's a disservice to all Americans to slant a story for political agenda vs progress @DavidSacks is literally change the game for a better USA competive position.. trust for @NYTimes is lost Amira / @mira404 : Another NYT nothingburger made to look like a Pulitzer investigation. Why did they become this mediocre? 🤦♀️ Jacob Helberg / @jacobhelberg : The NYT “investigation” into @DavidSacks is a parody of itself—a hyper-politicized ad hominem attack masquerading as journalism. David is a builder, an innovator, and a patriot who's helped create jobs, strengthen America's tech leadership, and elevate serious foreign-policy @geiger_capital : This NYT hit piece on David Sacks is so bad it's actually funny... “The AI Czar of the United States working to spread the technology of America's largest and most advanced chip company is a scandal.” [image] Joni Askola / @joni_askola : David Sacks is a dangerous, pro-Russia and pro-China traitor, and a corrupt grifter who loves conflicts of interest. This South African oligarch should be nowhere near the White House, and yet Trump has made him his AI and crypto czar [image] Theo Baker / @tab_delete : These guys are so boring. Can't you figure out a more creative phrase than “hit job” whenever someone does reporting you don't like? Anyway everyone should read the actual piece documenting how David Sacks has monetized and benefitted from his govt role: https://www.nytimes.com/... Perianne Boring / @periannedc : What we're seeing isn't random — it's coordinated. There's a full-on assault on crypto and the biggest players are taking the hits: President Trump, @DavidSacks, Tether, Binance & @cz_binance, MicroStrategy & @saylor, @jackmallers . This is Operation Chokepoint 3.0. @pledditor : This is the digital version of ending up with sore, bruised knees from orally satisfying your employer in exchange for a promotion. [image] Boz / @boztank : I don't know @DavidSacks. But I want more expertise in government. Experts tend to - have made money in their area of expertise - have friends in their area of expertise If people can't have history or friends in a field before leading it then our “leaders” won't know anything! Gavin Baker / @gavinsbaker : Deeply strange @nytimes article about @DavidSacks Leading in AI is good for America. And there is no way for America to lead in AI without American investors in AI doing well. Irrespective of whether those investors are David's friends or his enemies. And like everyone who has been in Silicon Valley for a long time, David has enemies in Silicon Valley who are also doing well by investing in AI...Separately, the @nytimes urgently needs to provide remedial math education for these journalists and their editors... @joemccann : The NY Crimes is a tabloid. Christopher F. Rufo / @christopherrufo : It's a failed smear piece and the truth is that almost all of the wealthy people serving in Trump's cabinet are taking a significant pay cut to do. David and his team are doing this work because they believe it's good for the country. @beffjezos : David Sacks is a national treasure and doing immense good for the competitiveness of our country in the AI race Brian Armstrong / @brian_armstrong : The NYT is a political propaganda machine, selling anger to unhealthy people, more than anything approaching real journalism at this point. Which is a shame, because real journalism can actually be quite valuable. Luckily, I don't know anyone who takes them seriously at this Sam Gerstenzang / @gerstenzang : We can all agree that, at best, David Sacks sucks. https://www.nytimes.com/... Marc Benioff / @benioff : I agree Gavin, the NYT distortion of @DavidSacks' leadership in AI, Crypto & Quantum isn't journalism—it's almost strategic sabotage. While American's bicker, our rivals are studying David's every move. I've known David for decades, and I've never seen him sharper or more necessary. We need to remember, America wins the century by elevating builders, not tearing them down. David, let's win this. 🇺🇸🚀 Kareem Rifai / @kareemrifai : David Sacks graduated from posting apologetics for Russia on Twitter to using his new government position to enrich himself and his friends, to the benefit of China. [image] Jim Manley / @jamespmanley : Ok snowflake/ grifter David Folkenflik / @davidfolkenflik : Time magazine owner calls NYT coverage of top Trump AI guy “almost strategic sabotage” @alx : The New York Times attacking @DavidSacks means he's probably doing something right. Shaun Maguire / @shaunmmaguire : I ❤️ @DavidSacks What a ridiculous attempted hit piece that just makes Sacks look like a badass The NYT reports that he had sold or initiated the sale of 99% of his conflicting assets It's impossible to simultaneously be a) competent and b) do more to deconflict HERO 🫡 [image] @jason : I wonder what would happen if we bought up all the shares if the Nytimes we could and joined the board 🤔😂😂😂 Hari Raghavan / @haridigresses : This hit piece saga will do more to benefit David Sacks than the “conflicts” the NYT cooked up. He comes off looking like a boss: - the agendas he pushed (deeply America-first) - the tangible outcomes (the GENIUS Act was a landmark achievement) - and even this scathing response @cernovich : David Sacks had to sell off a lot of assets to avoid conflicts-of-interest. The country is fortunate to have him. Zach Coelius / @zachcoelius : The NYT hit piece on @DavidSacks is just so sad. Instead of engaging in the actually fascinating policy question of why it make sense to sell our chips they resort to “concerns” and “alarm” What happened to actually debating ideas? Zach Witkoff / @zachwitkoff : NYT and WSJ have become a full blown laughing stock but they have sunk to a new low with this one. AI and Crypto Czar @DavidSacks is actually helping advance the ball forward on AI and Crypto and somehow that's a problem... Chamath Palihapitiya / @chamath : NYT is the Private Equity Wife of newspapers... Bobby Allyn / @bobbyallyn : it used to be that the billionaire tech elite quietly hired law firms to fire off letters & make legal threats. now they boast about it publicly. they know exactly what they're doing: trying to chill future scrutiny and intimidate journalists from digging into their dealings Molly Jong-Fast / @mollyjongfast : His public filings designate 438 of his tech investments as software or hardware companies, even though the firms promote themselves as A.I. enterprises, offer A.I. services or have A.I. in their names, The Times found. Mr. Sacks has raised the profile of his weekly podcast, Erik Torenberg / @eriktorenberg : @pmarca @DavidSacks They can only imagine the negatives of (perceived) conflict of interest, but not the benefits of skin in the game. Dan Primack / @danprimack : As I tweeted earlier, the NYT story was mostly a nothingburger. At least for those familiar with the situation. As for “hoax”: The story itself, as published, isn't being disputed. Obviously the NYT had info/questions that Sacks/lawyers answered, and disproven info wasn't included. That's how journalism works. The real complaint seems to be about the headline: “Silicon Valley's Man in the White House Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends” I get the complaint. But it's really a matter of interpretation. Not true/false/hoax... Elon Musk / @elonmusk : Absolutely Boris Wertz / @bwertz : Completely senseless @nytimes piece on @DavidSacks - I wished we in 🇨🇦 had an equally competent AI & crypto czar! [image] Alex Masmej / @alexmasmej : One man's conflict of interest is another's skin in the game. Anthony Pompliano / @apompliano : It is refreshing that we finally have people like @DavidSacks in leadership positions who use the tech they oversee. We should want leaders to use the products, talk to the founders, invest in the companies, and generally be market participants in their selected industries. [image] @johnhering : David Sacks @DavidSacks is the example of a courageous and capable American putting his country first at great personal sacrifice. We are lucky to have him and should hope that others like him follow in his footsteps. @jason : 1. Sacks missed out on the greatest super cycle of our lifetimes at the height of his investment career to serve the American people. 2. Apparently, All In lost money on our AI summit — which means I lost money supporting Trump's agenda! I did benefit, as President Trump roasted me 😂😂😂 — which was priceless [...] What a nothing burger... five reporters and three months to learn that sacks is an upstanding civil servant! Sky Dayton / @skydayton : I've worked closely with @DavidSacks for years, and this NYT article couldn't be further from reality. I've watched him apply the most rigid standards in avoiding conflicts and steer clear of anything that could be perceived as such. He divested holdings at great personal cost so Jason Goldman / @goldman : When there's been a big NYT exposé on your self-dealing, the person you really want coming to your defense is the guy who was notoriously convicted of securities fraud Marc Andreessen / @pmarca : David Sacks @DavidSacks is a throwback to the era of American greatness in which the most capable private sector citizens selflessly volunteered for government service in moments of peril for a dollar a day. He is a credit to our nation, and we need more like him, not fewer. 🇺🇸 Josh Constine / @joshconstine : @davidmarcus But why not divest? Nothing in your argument relies on him keeping his stakes. We need experienced builders in gov, but out of respect for the country or because we start to competitively compensate, why not divest and make it clear the policies are truly what's right? @jason : legacy media burning their remaining shreds of credibility... with a false headline and FIVE journalists burning a collective year on a hit piece that missed by a ten miles Just say “thank you for your service @DavidSacks” and let's get back to work saving America from the Matt Stoller / @matthewstoller : The billionaire circle the wagons around an obviously corrupt liar like David Sacks is fun to watch. Jason Miller / @jasonmiller : Fake news! @DavidSacks is kicking ass for @POTUS @realDonaldTrump. The failing @NYTimes is only attacking David because he's been so good implementing POTUS' agenda! Let's remind them: 312 electorals, the pop. vote, every swing state... https://www.nytimes.com/... Kyle Samani / @kylesamani : The @nytimes post on @DavidSacks is a travesty. Utterly shameful journalism Anyone who is qualified to be AI and crypto czar - both of which are rapidly iterating new technologies - by definition *must be invested in many companies in these sectors* so that they can learn from Wei / @thedaoofwei : Take them down Sacks! Joseph Nelson / @josephofiowa : The US is lucky that someone with David's experience is guiding its AI policy. A history of success in a field is a feature, not a bug, to civil service (of course). Apoorva Govind / @appyg99 : The @DavidSacks hit piece is not even a hit piece. All I took away from it is that he's in the weeds & looking out for US tech instead of an inexperienced commie like @linamkhan. The real question is how can one be founder in his portco because he's such a visionary operator. Nik Marda / @nrmarda : Good thing he's only allowed to grift for 130 days per year! Jill Geisler / @jillgeisler : “His public filings designate 438 of his tech investments as software or hardware companies, even though the firms promote themselves as A.I. enterprises, offer A.I. services or have A.I. in their names, The Times found.” Mike Young / @micyoung75 : If you wondered what “America First” meant in practice, here's your answer. It's America last and Tiny Hands' friends first. Moe Davis / @colmoedavis : As the article says, “Policies that Mr. Sacks supported at the White House have laid the groundwork for his investments to flourish.” And don't just take my word for how this ethical conflict of interest reeks to high heaven ... @atlantatech : @MarkHalperin ... Mr. Sacks contributions and time given to this administration and the USA far outweigh those of the NY Times and any NY Times “journalists”. Moe Davis / @colmoedavis : Another example of the real divide in America between the rich and the rest. Trump's crypto czar billionaire David Sacks has investments in over 400 companies that stand to benefit from policies he advances. [image] Mark Halperin / @markhalperin : Takes 5 @nytimes reporters to chronicle the times and life of @DavidSacks !!!! Silicon Valley's Man in the White House Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends https://www.nytimes.com/... via @NYTimes Jonathan Lemire / @jonlemire : Silicon Valley's Man in the White House Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends David Sacks, the Trump administration's A.I. and crypto czar, has helped formulate policies that aid his Silicon Valley friends and many of his own tech investments https://www.nytimes.com/... Alexander S. Vindman / @avindman : As healthcare and basic costs climb, Trump and his billionaires are stealing this country blind. The corruption is staggering. Silicon Valley's Man in the White House Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends - The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/... Marshall Auerback / @mauerback : Silicon Valley's Man in the White House Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends https://www.nytimes.com/... Quel surprise! As the old Sicilian expression goes, the rot starts at the head of the fish Neera Tanden / @neeratanden : Literally everyone in this White House is grifting. https://www.nytimes.com/... @basuashis : “Almost everyone in the high-powered audience — which included the chief executives of the chipmakers Nvidia and AMD, as well as Mr. Sacks's tech friends, colleagues and business partners — were poised to profit from Mr. Trump's directives.” https://www.nytimes.com/... via @NYTimes Jacob Silverman / @silvermanjacob : This sounds pretty corrupt, @DavidSacks/@davidsacks47. https://www.nytimes.com/... Amy Coplan / @amycoplan : Another example of a WH employee enriching himself & his friends. Silicon Valley's Man in the White House Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends https://www.nytimes.com/... via @NYTimes Bluesky: Wajahat Ali / @wajali : So glad more people are FINALLY doing pieces on the South African PayPal broligarchy, which includes Thiel, Musk and David Sacks. — All terrible human beings. — www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/t... Ian Betteridge / @ianbetteridge.com : David Sacks' response to the NYT story pointing out all his conflict of interests is a masterpiece of half-truths, outright lies, and deliberate evasion. — x.com/davidsacks/status/19952... Justin Hendrix / @justinhendrix : “Since January, Mr. Sacks, 53, has occupied one of the most advantageous moonlighting roles in the federal government, influencing policy for Silicon Valley in Washington while simultaneously working in Silicon Valley as an investor.” — Stare into the abyss/read this article: [embedded post] Max Berger / @maxberger : The Trump regime isn't a presidential administration—it's a heist operation. — The most corrupt president in American history and it's not even close. Michael J. Stern / @michaeljstern : Trump and his administration are using his presidency to get rich — by abusing their positions of power. Really MAGA, this is what you voted for? They get richer and you get poorer. — www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/t... Andrew Chakhoyan / @andrewchak : I will forever refer to this grifter as David Putinovich Sacks — www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/t... Mark Riedl / @markriedl : The one constant of this administration is to use their power for profit [embedded post] Krish Subramanian / @krishnan : I will vote for the Democrat who says they will investigate all the tech bros on the first day of office. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/t... Seth Abramson / @sethabramson : It will take America *decades*—not merely years—to recover from what these robber barons did to us. — They destroyed our government, caused untold pain to the average American directly and indirectly, and used our money as their piggy bank. — And all of it *should* have been criminal. Torr / @torrleonard : When you're a Republican, they let ya do it... “David Sacks, the Trump administration's A.I. and crypto czar, has helped formulate policies that aid his Silicon Valley friends and many of his own tech investments.” — www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/t... @sccdp : How to oligarch. — We'll need stronger ethical rules and enforcement to prevent billionaires from profiting from their power in our government - and don't they already have all the money anyway? — www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/t... Michael Derby / @michaelsderby : NYT: “Steve Bannon, a former adviser to Mr. Trump and a critic of Silicon Valley billionaires, said Mr. Sacks was a quintessential example of ethical conflicts in an administration where ‘the tech bros are out of control.’” Paul Barrett / @paulthedogman : Meet the man who embodies Silicon Valley collaboration with the Bozo Fascist Regime. Tech moguls have outdone other business “leaders” in enabling the darkest forces in American politics. Zuckerberg, Musk, Cook, and all the rest will go down in history as villains. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/t... Lee West / @whodat35 : I told you so. That is all. — Silicon Valley's Man in the White House Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends - The New York Times — www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/t... Carl Quintanilla / @carlquintanilla : Five-byline alert: 🚨 — David Sacks “has 708 tech investments .. that could be aided directly or indirectly by his policies, according to a New York Times analysis — “The tech bros are out of control,” said Steve Bannon. — www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/t... [image] @newsjennifer : Oh look: another Silicon Valley oligarch gorging on the US government. That's the game plan for every single one of these greedy monsters: cozy up to Trump to make sweetheart deals, change federal policies & grab fat govt contracts for you & your friends. — www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/t... Scott Johnson / @fuzzygroup : If you suspected that Silicon Valley was, for all the crap about “meritocracy”, a rigged game, well, The New York Times confirmed it: — “Silicon Valley's Man in the White House Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends” — I've worked with the valley since the 80s and while never perfect, it wasn't this. Threads: Kara Swisher / @karaswisher : As I have long said, David Sacks is the biggest and most conflicted piggy at the trough: Silicon Valley's Man in the White House Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends https://www.nytimes.com/... Mastodon: Miguel Afonso Caetano / @remixtures@tldr.nettime.org : “Since January, Mr. Sacks, 53, has occupied one of the most advantageous moonlighting roles in the federal government, influencing policy for Silicon Valley in Washington while simultaneously working in Silicon Valley as an investor. Among his actions as the White House's artificial intelligence and crypto czar: … Dan Gillmor / @dangillmor@mastodon.social : I'm hard on the NY Times for its many failings in political coverage, but this piece — about a South African immigrant to the US who is central to the manifestly sleazy, and lucrative, Silicon Valley / Trump world dealings — is simply excellent. — https://www.nytimes.com/... Dare Obasanjo / @carnage4life@mas.to : The New York Times reports on how David Sacks is using his position as the White House's AI czar to benefit his investments and those of his friends. — While this may sound like a conflict of interest, there's an old Silicon Valley VC saying - “No conflict. No interest.” — Corruption is just good business. … Forums: Hacker News : Silicon Valley's man in the White House is benefiting himself and his friends r/WeTheFifth : Silicon Valley's Man in the White House Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends: David Sacks, the Trump administration's A.I. and crypto czar … r/TheAllinPodcasts : NYT just published a hit piece on David Sacks r/technology : Silicon Valley's Man in the White House Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends r/NVDA_Stock : Bullish?: Silicon Valley's Man in the White House Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends r/politics : Silicon Valley's Man in the White House Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends