Reid Hoffman Reportedly Considers Leaving U.S. Following Trump’s Election Victory

 Billionaire co-founder of LinkedIn and prominent Democratic Party donor Reid Hoffman is reportedly contemplating relocating overseas following President-elect Donald Trump’s victory.

According to the New York Times, Hoffman, a vocal supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris during her unsuccessful presidential campaign, has expressed concerns that Trump may use his return to the White House to target political opponents.

Hoffman has faced controversy in the past for his outspoken remarks about Trump. After an assassination attempt on Trump in July, comments resurfaced in which Hoffman reportedly said he wished the president-elect was an “actual martyr.”

In addition to his political activism, Hoffman financially supported a defamation lawsuit filed by former New York Magazine writer E. Jean Carroll against Trump. Hoffman contributed $10 million to a super PAC backing Harris and helped bankroll Carroll’s legal efforts. While Trump’s lawyers questioned Hoffman’s involvement in the lawsuit, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll in 1996 and for defamation, awarding her $5 million in damages. Earlier this year, Carroll was awarded an additional $83.3 million for defamation after Trump publicly denied her claims.

Hoffman is not the only Democratic donor considering leaving the country. Several prominent contributors to Democratic causes have reportedly discussed the prospect privately in the aftermath of Trump’s victory over Harris on November 5.

Hoffman reportedly fears potential retribution after he helped bankroll a lawsuit against Trump. Lannis Waters / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The mood among Democratic donors has been sombre. At a recent four-day meeting of the Democracy Alliance, a network of left-leaning donors, attendees described the atmosphere as feeling like a “funeral.” “People are shell-shocked and trying to figure out what happened,” said tech mogul Steve Silberstein.

Another tech leader, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is reportedly anxious about the incoming Trump administration. Altman, who has a contentious relationship with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has attempted to connect with Trump’s inner circle but has faced resistance, partly due to Musk’s influence.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk (right) has emerged as a top adviser to Trump. Jasper Colt/USA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Wall Street Journal reported that Altman reached out to Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and his brother, venture capitalist Josh Kushner, hoping to establish ties with the president-elect’s team. Despite limited success, Altman secured a meeting with Howard Lutnick, Cantor Fitzgerald CEO and a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, who is expected to be named Commerce Secretary.

Hoffman donated millions of dollars to a super PAC backing Vice President Kamala Harris. Getty Images

During their meeting, Altman discussed OpenAI’s plans to expand investments in the United States, including building data centres and hiring American workers.

Meanwhile, Musk’s legal team filed an injunction against OpenAI and its backer, Microsoft, on Friday, aiming to block the company’s transition to a for-profit entity.

The Post has contacted Hoffman, the Trump transition team, and other key figures mentioned for comment.