How Big Tech money is undermining US democracy — Interview with journalist Gil Duran | DW News

Overview

Journalist Gil Duran argues that Silicon Valley billionaires are using their wealth and influence to weaken US democracy and increase their control over government, media, and public life. He says the country is at a decisive point in what Peter Thiel has described as a “race” between technology and democracy.

Billionaire Influence and Political Power

Duran cites large political donations by tech and cryptocurrency interests, including Elon Musk’s reported spending to support Republicans. He says money from AI- and crypto-funded political action committees has reached unprecedented levels. In his view, billionaires can fund both parties, making the issue less a matter of left versus right than of wealthy donors versus ordinary people.

He accuses the Trump administration of allowing private interests to gain exceptional influence, while noting that public subsidies and government contracts have also helped tech companies grow.

Duran presents Thiel’s ideas as a key influence on this movement. He points to Thiel’s longstanding skepticism toward democracy and nation-states, and to the book The Sovereign Individual, which predicted that technologies such as cryptocurrency and automation could erode government authority and destabilize society. Duran argues that Thiel and like-minded investors see technology as a means of bypassing democratic consent.

He describes Vice President JD Vance as closely linked to Thiel, citing Thiel’s financial and political support for Vance’s rise. Duran also raises concerns about Elon Musk’s role in the federal government, saying the full story of data accessed during Musk’s DOGE work remains unclear. He warns that billionaires’ ownership of both social-media platforms and traditional media outlets could make it harder for the public to access independent information.

Democratic Institutions and “Network States”

Duran characterizes the movement as fascistic, arguing that it combines corporate and government power, attacks democratic rights and institutions, and uses grievance and propaganda to justify concentrating power.

He says some tech investors envision replacing nation-states with privately controlled “network states” or “freedom cities.” He links that idea to proposals for new cities on US land and to projects discussed in places such as Honduras and Gaza.

Political Alternatives

Duran rejects the suggestion that his criticism is simply partisan. He says most prominent Democrats also avoid challenging billionaire influence because they, too, receive support from wealthy donors. He names Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, James Talarico, and Jamie Raskin as exceptions.

He argues that Democrats need a more compelling economic vision for working people, rather than incremental policies or appeals to a supposed political middle.

AI and Public Oversight

Duran questions claims that AI will transform society or eliminate most jobs. He says the industry’s warnings about existential risks are often paired with demands to invest and move quickly.

He describes the sector as financially vulnerable, pointing to enormous data-center investment compared with current revenue, and warns that companies may seek government bailouts if the AI boom falters. If AI is as consequential as its proponents claim, he argues, it should be subject to public oversight rather than controlled by a few private companies.

Public Response

Duran says public concern about AI, data centers, and billionaire power could prompt voters to resist what he calls a power grab. He also says his book has gained attention because readers are seeking explanations for the influence of tech billionaires, and maintains that its central claims are grounded in public statements and documented facts.

Presenters and Contributors

• DW interviewer: Not identified in the subtitles
• Gil Duran: Journalist and author of The Nerd Reich