Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, renowned co-founders of Silicon Valley venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), have publicly announced their endorsement of former President Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential race. Both longtime Democrats, Andreessen and Horowitz cited Trump’s favorable policies for the tech sector as their primary reason for switching allegiance from President Joe Biden.
In a recent episode of their podcast, “The Ben & Marc Show,” Andreessen explained their decision, emphasizing that Trump’s approach would better support innovation and startup growth compared to what they perceive as stifling regulation and taxation under the Biden administration.
“Tech prowess is crucial to America’s success, not just economically but also militarily,” Andreessen argued, highlighting concerns over Biden’s proposed regulations on artificial intelligence and a perceived disadvantage in global tech competition.
The duo recounted discussions with Trump, where they found alignment on issues like AI policy and cryptocurrency regulation. They particularly praised Trump’s stance on crypto, contrasting it with what they termed Biden’s harmful proposal to tax unrealized capital gains, which they believe would cripple venture capital and startup viability.
Andreessen, known for his advocacy of technology’s pivotal role in societal progress, previously penned a “Techno-Optimist Manifesto,” advocating for unabated tech innovation despite critics’ concerns.
Andreessen Horowitz, managing over $42 billion in assets, remains a major player in Silicon Valley’s venture capital landscape, influencing tech investment trends and policy discourse.
