Trump’s RNC Speech Gave Tech Enthusiasts Hope for the Future

Former President Donald Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention （RNC） hinted at potential openness to embracing the tech industry, sparking hope among tech enthusiasts.

Points

• Trump’s speech at the RNC hinted at support for the tech industry.
• GOP platform includes strong support for Bitcoin and opposition to a Central Bank Digital Currency.
• Trump’s reelection campaign emphasizes crypto-friendly policies.
• The GOP’s stance on AI and other emerging technologies remains mixed.

Former President Donald Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention （RNC） included a subtle yet significant mention that caught the attention of tech enthusiasts. In his 90-minute address, Trump declared, “America is on the cusp of a new golden age, but we will have the courage to seize it.” This statement resonated with the tech-focused “e/acc” community, which includes influential figures like Marc Andreessen and Gary Tan.

One of the movement’s founders, an anonymous social media user known as “@BasedBeffJezos,” shared a clip of Trump’s remarks, asking followers, “Can you feel the acceleration anon?” This moment signaled potential support for the tech industry under a possible second Trump administration.

The GOP’s platform explicitly supports Bitcoin, pledging to end what they describe as the Democrats’ “unlawful and unAmerican Crypto crackdown” and opposing the creation of a Central Bank Digital Currency. The party also promises to defend the right to mine Bitcoin and ensure Americans can self-custody their digital assets and transact free from government surveillance.

Trump’s excitement about crypto will likely grow as he is scheduled to headline the Bitcoin 2024 Conference in Nashville on July 27. However, whether this enthusiasm translates into broader support for emerging technologies remains to be seen.

While the GOP’s stance on artificial intelligence （AI） appears supportive, with promises to repeal the Biden administration’s AI executive order, the position on autonomous vehicles is less clear. Some GOP members, like Tucker Carlson, have expressed strong opposition to driverless trucks, highlighting a potential conflict within the party on technology issues.

Tech industry leaders, including David Sacks, Marc Andreessen, and Peter Thiel, have shown support for the GOP nominee, suggesting a positive outlook for the tech industry under a Trump administration. However, the tech community remains cautiously optimistic, as specifics around technology policies are still uncertain.

Explanation

• Trump’s RNC speech hinted at potential support for the tech industry, sparking hope among tech enthusiasts.
• The GOP platform strongly supports Bitcoin and opposes a Central Bank Digital Currency.
• The party’s stance on AI is supportive, but opinions on autonomous vehicles are mixed.
• Tech industry leaders’ support indicates a positive outlook, but specific policies remain to be seen.