Reid Hoffman says business leaders are wrong to stay silent about the Trump administration

"Business leaders who believe staying quiet about the Trump administration will protect their companies are making a dangerous miscalculation, says Reid Hoffman. The LinkedIn cofounder and tech investor said in an episode of the "Rapid Response" podcast published Tuesday that he rejects the idea that executives can simply wait out political turbulence. "The theory that if you just keep your mouth shut, the storm will blow over and it won't be a problem - you should be disabused of that theory now," Hoffman said."

"In 2024, Hoffman contributed $2 million to a super PAC that spearheaded a write-in campaign for President Joe Biden in New Hampshire. Hoffman said fear of retaliation from the Trump administration has made many business leaders hesitant to speak publicly, but fear is exactly the wrong guide. Executives should speak out instead of rationalizing that "it's the right thing for my business," he added. Hoffman framed public engagement as a responsibility that comes with wealth and power."

""Human beings first," he said. "Humanity, society, right, you are members of both of those." "Anyone who's wealthy in the society should be extremely grateful for being part of the society. You have responsibilities," he added. Hoffman said he is "regularly called out by the White House" and added that it should not be punitive for leaders to speak based on their knowledge and experience."

Reid Hoffman warns that staying silent will not shield business leaders from political pressure and that silence is a dangerous miscalculation. He rejects the strategy of waiting out political turbulence and urges executives to speak out rather than let fear guide decisions. Hoffman frames public engagement as a responsibility tied to wealth and power, emphasizing that wealthy individuals owe society and should feel gratitude and obligations. He notes that speaking from knowledge and experience should not be punished, and that executives must prioritize humanity and societal duties. Hoffman has engaged politically through donations and clashes with pro-Trump business figures.

Read at Business Insider