Impolitic with John Heilemann Ben Smith: Trump's Gravity Bong & Silicon Valley's Samizdat
May 2, 2025
Ben Smith, the editor-in-chief of Semafor and a veteran journalist, discusses the rightward shift of Silicon Valley politics influenced by private group chats. He reveals how these clandestine forums emerged during Covid, led by figures like Marc Andreessen, and have shaped media narratives. Smith also shares insights on Trump’s political gravity and the evolving ambitions of Semafor, while elevating 'Margin Call' to iconic status in Wall Street cinema. It's a fascinating exploration of the intersection between tech, politics, and media dynamics.
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Private Chats Shift Silicon Valley Right
- Silicon Valley elites felt silenced by social media's woke conformity and created private group chats for freer discussion.
- These chats became hubs for political shift to the right and eventual alignment with Trump.
Andreessen Outsources Right-Wing Braintrust
- Marc Andreessen asked a conservative academic to find smart right-wing people to join his group chats.
- This helped him learn conservative arguments and move further right politically.
Elite Group Chats Coordinate Narratives
- Private elite group chats act as echo chambers creating pre-agreed narratives shared publicly later.
- This coordinated consensus shapes media, politics, and public discourse among powerful insiders.
