Trump Taps Tech Titan David Sacks as White House AI and Crypto Czar

President-elect Donald Trump Appoints David Sacks as White House A.I. & Crypto Czar

In a move that signals a strong focus on emerging technologies, President-elect Donald Trump has appointed David Sacks as the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar.” This appointment comes on the heels of a high-profile fundraising dinner Sacks hosted for Trump’s campaign and follows the recent announcement of Elon Musk’s role in the “Department of Government Efficiency.”

Sacks, a tech industry veteran, will serve as a special government employee, limited to 130 days of service per year. In this capacity, he will be responsible for guiding policy on Artificial Intelligence and Cryptocurrency, to establish America as a global leader in these fields.

The newly created role will see Sacks focusing on several key areas, including safeguarding free speech online and developing a legal framework to foster the growth of the cryptocurrency industry within the United States. Additionally, Sacks will lead the Presidential Council of Advisors for Science and Technology, further cementing his influence on the nation’s technological direction.

Sacks brings a wealth of experience to the position, having been part of the influential “PayPal Mafia” alongside Elon Musk. He later founded Yammer, which was acquired by Microsoft for $1.2 billion. His connections in the tech world run deep, with investments in Musk’s ventures such as SpaceX and Twitter through his venture capital firm, Craft Ventures.

The appointment has garnered positive reactions from both political and industry circles. Sacks’ growing influence within the Republican Party was evident in his participation in the 2024 Republican National Convention. Industry leaders have also welcomed the news, with congratulatory responses coming from figures such as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Coinbase COO Emilie Choi.

As the tech world eagerly anticipates the impact of this appointment, all eyes will be on Sacks to see how he navigates the complex landscape of AI and cryptocurrency policy in the coming years.