LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman is reportedly contemplating moving abroad following Republican nominee Donald Trump’s victory over Democratic rival Kamala Harris in the November 5 presidential election. Hoffman, a vocal supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris, donated millions to her campaign and played an active role in supporting her candidacy.
According to The New York Times, Hoffman shared with friends that he is considering relocating due to concerns about potential retaliation from Trump. The President-elect has promised to target his political opponents, including major Democratic donors like Hoffman.
Hoffman’s worries have been amplified by his past involvement in high-profile opposition to Trump. He financed a $10 million super PAC supporting Harris’s campaign and contributed to E. Jean Carroll’s defamation lawsuit against Trump. A jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding Carroll millions in damages across two trials. Trump’s legal team argued that Hoffman’s financial involvement raised “significant questions” about Carroll’s credibility.
Hoffman also faced backlash earlier this year when a previous comment resurfaced after a failed assassination attempt on Trump in July. In the remark, the 57-year-old entrepreneur allegedly expressed a wish that the President-elect had been an “actual martyr,” sparking significant criticism online.
Hoffman is not alone in his contemplation of leaving the United States. Several prominent Democratic donors and their advisers are reportedly considering similar moves, according to The New York Times. These individuals are grappling with the implications of Harris’s defeat and assessing their future strategies.
“People are kind of shell-shocked – and trying to figure out what happened… People are trying to adjust to reality and plot out a path forward,” said tech entrepreneur Steve Silberstein.
Efforts are also underway to guide the Democratic Party’s postmortem analysis. Some donors are circulating memos aimed at ensuring continued fundraising momentum for the party despite the recent electoral setback.
Hoffman’s considerations reflect broader concerns among Democratic backers about their safety and the changing political climate under Trump’s impending presidency.
