"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg
E127: The Tech Right and How The Left Can Fix Itself w/ Jon Askonas
Mar 20, 2025
Jon Askonas, an assistant professor of politics and senior fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation, joins to discuss the unexpected coalition between MAGA supporters and Silicon Valley tech leaders. They delve into the evolution of political alignments, tensions within the tech right, and emerging issues like immigration and biotechnology. Askonas highlights the need for the left to better engage younger audiences and navigates the complexities of political transformations, including the implications of cryptocurrency and AI on future governance.
48:10
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The emerging coalition between MAGA supporters and Silicon Valley tech leaders signifies a dramatic political realignment driven by shared skepticism towards the Democratic Party.
- Internal tensions within this coalition are evident, particularly around diverging views on immigration and biotechnology, which may lead to future conflicts.
Deep dives
The New Right Coalition
The emerging coalition between MAGA supporters and Silicon Valley tech leaders marks a significant political realignment in the United States. This alliance arises partly from a shared skepticism towards the Democratic Party, which has increasingly been associated with the interests of college-educated voters. The podcast discusses how tech elites, who once formed a critical component of the Democratic coalition, are now showing signs of defection toward the right, driven by social and economic changes. It highlights the surprising visual of major tech figures sitting alongside prominent Republican figures during significant events, emphasizing a shift in allegiance that may reshape future political dynamics.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
