TL;DR
LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman used a recent Wired interview to urge fellow tech leaders to stop treating neutrality as a virtue and to speak up about what they believe. Hoffman, an outspoken defender of AI and author of 2025's Superagency, has also been a frequent target of President Trump, who has twice threatened investigations into him.
What happened
In a mid-December conversation published as part of Wired's The Big Interview, Reid Hoffman — the LinkedIn cofounder and long-time tech investor — criticized the Trump administration and chastised many in Silicon Valley for remaining silent. Hoffman argued that neutrality is not always a virtue and encouraged peers to “just speak up about the things that you think are true.” The interview also highlighted Hoffman's advocacy for artificial intelligence: his 2025 book Superagency argues that AI will amplify human capabilities, and Hoffman described using AI to generate a fully produced holiday album pressed on vinyl. The interview notes that Trump has twice threatened investigations into Hoffman, most recently asking Attorney General Pam Bondi to examine his ties to Jeffrey Epstein; Hoffman has previously apologized for a mid-2010s relationship with Epstein and said it related to fundraising for MIT. The conversation was edited for length and clarity.
Why it matters
- A prominent founder and investor publicly urging peers to abandon neutrality could shift tech-industry norms around political speech.
- Hoffman's stature as LinkedIn cofounder and early backer of major startups gives his views visibility within venture and executive circles.
- The exchange underscores tensions between Silicon Valley figures and the Trump administration, including political pressure and threats of investigation.
- Hoffman's dual role as an AI advocate and public critic of the administration links technological debates to broader political and ethical questions.
Key facts
- Reid Hoffman co-founded LinkedIn and is a prominent investor, having backed early-stage companies including Meta and Airbnb.
- Hoffman is the author of Superagency (2025), which argues that AI amplifies human capacity rather than diminishing it.
- In Wired's The Big Interview (taped in mid-December), Hoffman urged Silicon Valley leaders to speak up rather than remain neutral.
- Hoffman described using AI tools to generate a Christmas album that was produced and pressed on vinyl for friends.
- President Trump has twice threatened to launch investigations into Hoffman; most recently he asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to look into Hoffman's ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
- Hoffman apologized in 2019 for a mid-2010s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, saying the connection related to fundraising for MIT.
- Hoffman has called for the government to release the Epstein files in full.
- The interview was edited for length and clarity for publication in Wired.
What to watch next
- Whether other senior tech figures respond publicly to Hoffman's call for more outspoken criticism of the administration (not confirmed in the source).
- If the Department of Justice or state attorneys general move forward on any investigations referenced by President Trump (not confirmed in the source).
- How Hoffman's public advocacy for AI and the reception of Superagency influence debates inside tech companies and investor circles (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- LinkedIn: A professional networking platform that connects users for jobs, hiring, and professional content; co-founded by Reid Hoffman.
- Artificial intelligence (AI): A field of computer science focused on creating systems that can perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as language understanding, pattern recognition, and decision-making.
- Superagency: The title of Reid Hoffman's 2025 book arguing that AI technologies will amplify human capacities rather than replace them.
- Jeffrey Epstein files: Documents and records related to investigations and reporting on Jeffrey Epstein; calls for their release have been made by various public figures.
Reader FAQ
Is Reid Hoffman asking tech leaders to oppose the Trump administration explicitly?
Hoffman urged Silicon Valley executives to stop treating neutrality as a virtue and to speak up about what they believe; he criticized the administration in the interview.
Has President Trump threatened investigations into Hoffman?
Yes. The article says Trump has twice threatened to launch investigations into Hoffman and most recently asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to examine his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Did Hoffman admit any connection to Jeffrey Epstein?
Hoffman apologized in 2019 for a mid-2010s relationship with Epstein, saying it related to fundraising for MIT.
Did Hoffman use AI to create a holiday album?
Yes. Hoffman described generating a fully AI-created Christmas album and having it pressed on vinyl for friends.
KATIE DRUMMOND BUSINESS JAN 13, 2026 6:30 AM Reid Hoffman Wants Silicon Valley to ‘Stand Up’ Against the Trump Administration The LinkedIn cofounder and frequent Trump target has a simple…
Sources
- Reid Hoffman Wants Silicon Valley to ‘Stand Up’ Against the Trump Administration
- Using Silicon Valley Tactics, LinkedIn's Founder Is Working …
- Big Tech Made Peace with Trump. Reid Hoffman Didn't.
- LinkedIn Founder Reid Hoffman sees bright AI future and …
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