Some billionaires are aligning with the Trump administration, while others are considering leaving the country. Laurene Powell Jobs, a prominent billionaire and supporter of Kamala Harris, is attempting to project optimism in the wake of the election results.
Two weeks post-election, Ms. Powell Jobs showcased her philanthropic efforts at an event called Demo Day, where ten individuals she has financially supported presented their innovative ideas in a format reminiscent of TED Talks.
The event aimed to connect promising innovators with influential investors, focusing on social justice and scientific research rather than consumer goods. Presenters discussed topics such as climate change, women’s health, immigration, prosthetics development, and education in Africa before an audience of venture capitalists, philanthropists, and technology executives.
Notably, the name Donald J. Trump was absent from discussions, despite the event being planned prior to the election. Attendees were encouraged to “Cheer loudly!”
Ms. Powell Jobs, who controls a fortune estimated at $11 billion, has diverse investment interests. She acquired a majority stake in The Atlantic magazine in 2017 and operates Emerson Collective, which supports nonprofits and invests in private companies. Her philanthropic focus includes gun control, prison reform, anti-racism efforts, and environmental sustainability.
During the election, she played a significant role by circulating polling data to assist in nudging President Biden out of the race and contributed millions to support Harris's campaign.
Despite the election outcome, Ms. Powell Jobs maintained a calm demeanor at the event, emphasizing the importance of continuing the highlighted work regardless of the presidential administration. She expressed confidence that climate change innovations could remain profitable and beneficial to businesses.
Ms. Powell Jobs conceived the idea for Demo Day after attending similar events, believing in the innate creativity and resilience of humans amid political divides.
Even prominent Democrats present at the event refrained from discussing the election results or the incoming administration's nominations. Joe Kennedy III, a former congressman, introduced speakers without mentioning the political climate, while Jennifer Palmieri humorously referenced the “very busy election season” without elaborating further.
The event featured Ms. Powell Jobs briefly addressing the audience before engaging in a light-hearted conversation with Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, focusing on personal interests rather than political implications.
Ms. Powell Jobs concluded her participation with a smile, embodying a spirit of optimism and resilience in the face of political uncertainty.