All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg

Trump: Send National Guard to SF, China Rare Earths Trade War, AI's PR Crisis

2073 snips
Oct 17, 2025
The hosts dive into whether the National Guard should be deployed in San Francisco due to rising crime and homelessness. They analyze new Chinese export controls on rare earths and discuss America's potential response, including price floors. Conversations touch on the importance of a Trump-Xi summit for trade stability and how China's mercantilist strategies affect global markets. Finally, they address AI's PR crisis and its impact on jobs, emphasizing the need for better communication around technological shifts.
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ANECDOTE

Benioff's National Guard Comment Misfire

  • Mark Benioff casually suggested hiring National Guard-like security for Dreamforce and the remark was blown up by SF Standard.
  • Chamath explains the quote came from a discussion about event security, not a citywide political stance.
INSIGHT

San Francisco Showing Measurable Recovery

  • David Friedberg and Chamath note San Francisco's crime and homelessness metrics have improved substantially this year.
  • They argue the city is rebounding due to police hires, convictions, and the AI-driven economic return.
ADVICE

Use Targeted Federal Backstops Short-Term

  • Consider a limited National Guard or federal deployment as a short-term deterrent on key blocks to restore safety.
  • Use it as a time-bound backstop while local police and courts sustain enforcement.
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