The Global Story Trump’s ‘CEO of everything’
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Oct 8, 2025 Jake Lahat, a senior writer at Wired, dives into Larry Ellison's burgeoning dominance over AI and media. He reveals how Ellison's Oracle acts as the backbone of the internet, likening it to digital plumbing essential for AI training. The conversation explores Ellison's strategic acquisition of TikTok amid political tensions and his family's ambitious moves into legacy media, including a significant deal for Paramount. Lahat warns that the Ellison dynasty could shape U.S. attention and data akin to historical industrial giants.
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Oracle Is The Internet's Digital Plumbing
- Oracle provides foundational infrastructure (servers and databases) that underpins most web and enterprise services.
- Jake Lahat argues control of this 'digital plumbing' gives long-term leverage over tech ecosystems.
Lavish Purchases Built His Persona
- Larry Ellison spent lavishly on jets, yachts and property to craft a larger-than-life persona.
- He bought 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai, paying about $300 million in 2012.
Monopoly Mindset Shapes Tech Power
- Ellison and many Silicon Valley billionaires view monopoly-like dominance as the goal.
- This winner-take-all mentality shapes how they build businesses and influence politics.
