LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman has warned business leaders that remaining silent about the Trump administration is a risky approach, arguing that the belief that political turbulence will simply pass is “dangerous.” Speaking on a recent episode of the Rapid Response podcast, Hoffman said executives who think keeping quiet will protect their companies are making a serious miscalculation. His comments come as debates grow within the tech and business community over whether corporate leaders should publicly respond to political decisions and government actions.

Reid Hoffman rejects “stay quiet” approach

During the podcast, Reid Hoffman said the idea that companies can avoid trouble by not speaking up is flawed. “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,” he said on the podcast.A longtime Democratic donor, Hoffman is one of the most prominent political voices in Silicon Valley. He has supported Democratic candidates for years and has publicly disagreed with pro-Trump business figures, including White House AI adviser David Sacks. In 2024, Hoffman donated USD 2 million to a super PAC that backed a write-in campaign for President Joe Biden in New Hampshire.Reid Hoffman acknowledged that many executives are hesitant to speak out due to fear of retaliation from the Trump administration. However, he said fear should not guide decisions. “Precisely when you feel fear, you should think about, is this a time for courage?” he said.

Responsibility of business leaders

Reid Hoffman framed public engagement as part of the responsibility that comes with wealth and influence. “Human beings first,” he said, adding that those who have benefited from society have obligations to it. He also said he is “regularly called out by the White House,” but argued that leaders should not be punished for sharing views based on their experience.Hoffman’s remarks come as some business and tech leaders have begun speaking out about recent events, including the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis during a federal enforcement action. The incident has sparked debate over immigration enforcement and accountability.Several tech leaders responded publicly. Google DeepMind chief scientist Jeff Dean called the incident “absolutely shameful” in a post on X (formerly Twitter), while former Meta AI scientist Yann LeCun described the footage as “murderers.” In Minnesota, more than 60 CEOs signed a letter urging de-escalation and cooperation among government agencies.