Some of the Democratic presidential candidates who publicly criticize the tech industry are happily raising money in Silicon Valley, according to a new report.
A New York Times story published Thursday points out Democrats are holding fundraisers and courting cash from tech company executives and other wealthy California residents who have done well in the age of big tech.
South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, for example, went to four fundraisers in the San Francisco Bay area last Saturday. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., was also in Silicon Valley looking for campaign donations, as was Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif.
On the other side of the coin, many lawmakers — Democrats and Republicans — have criticized the tech industry for data privacy issues, labor practices, and antitrust issues. The situation has created an interesting dichotomy as a cast of two dozen Democrats vie for a spot on the 2020 general election ballot opposite President Donald Trump.
"Many of the candidates are trying to have it both ways, but it will be hard to be taken seriously as strong on this issue when you're taking money hand over fist from Big Tech," Democratic strategist Rebecca Katz told the Times.
It was reported Wednesday, meanwhile, tech companies such as Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google are spending large amounts of money on lobbying efforts as lawmakers take aim at some of their practices that some call questionable.
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.