You’ve probably seen the headlines about tech billionaires moving to Florida or Texas, grumbling about taxes and "woke" policies. Larry Ellison is usually at the top of that list. But if you’re trying to figure out is Larry Ellison a Democrat, the answer isn't a simple yes or no. Politics in Silicon Valley is weird. It’s a place where people might talk like liberals but spend like hardcore conservatives.
Honestly, labels don't really stick to a guy like Ellison. He’s the co-founder of Oracle, a centibillionaire, and a man who literally bought 98% of a Hawaiian island. He doesn't follow a party platform. He follows his own interests. While most of his recent actions scream "Republican megadonor," there’s a history there that’s a bit more tangled than a Fox News or MSNBC segment would have you believe.
The GOP Megadonor Reality
If we're looking at the hard data—the actual checks written and filed with the FEC—Larry Ellison is about as far from a Democrat as you can get in 2026. For the last decade, his wallet has been a massive engine for the Republican Party. We aren't talking about small-potatoes donations. We're talking about tens of millions of dollars.
Take the 2022 midterms, for example. Ellison was one of the biggest individual donors in the entire country. He pumped roughly $30 million into a super PAC supporting Senator Tim Scott. That’s a staggering amount of money. He didn't just write a check; he hosted Scott at his home on Lanai. It was a clear signal to the rest of the donor class: "This is my guy."
Then there’s the Donald Trump connection. While many tech CEOs tried to keep a distance from Trump during his first term, Ellison leaned in. He hosted a high-dollar fundraiser for Trump at his Rancho Mirage estate in 2020. This wasn't just business networking. It was a full-throated endorsement that caused hundreds of Oracle employees to walk out in protest. They were furious. They felt their boss was betraying the "California values" the company supposedly stood for. Larry? He didn't seem to care.
🔗 Read more: Enterprise Products Partners Stock Price: Why High Yield Seekers Are Bracing for 2026
Does He Ever Support Democrats?
So, is there any "Democrat" left in Larry? Sorta. If you go back far enough, you'll find a more balanced record. In the 90s and early 2000s, Ellison, like many business titans, played both sides of the aisle. It was common practice to hedge your bets. You’d give to whoever was in power to ensure Oracle kept getting those massive government contracts.
But lately, the "blue" in his ledger is mostly gone. It's actually his kids who are keeping the family's Democratic ties alive. His son, David Ellison, who runs Skydance Media, has been a major donor to Democratic causes. In 2024, David gave nearly $1 million to the Biden Victory Fund. It creates this weird dynamic where the father is trying to bankroll a Republican revolution while the son is funding the Democratic establishment.
Where Larry Actually Stands
If you look at his public statements rather than just his donations, Ellison’s ideology is more "Libertarian-meets-Nationalist."
- Surveillance and Security: He’s a big believer in national security. After 9/11, he famously offered to donate software to the government to create a national ID database. Democrats hated the privacy implications.
- Competition with China: He talks a lot about how the U.S. is in a tech war with China. He views Oracle’s success as a matter of national survival.
- Taxes and Regulation: Like most billionaires, he’s not a fan. He recently moved Oracle’s headquarters from Redwood City, California, to Austin, Texas. He even moved himself to Hawaii.
He’s basically a guy who wants the government to be strong enough to protect American business but small enough to stay out of his personal bank account. That’s a classic Republican stance, but with a tech-bro twist.
💡 You might also like: Dollar Against Saudi Riyal: Why the 3.75 Peg Refuses to Break
The 2026 Media Power Move
What’s really interesting right now—and why people are asking is Larry Ellison a Democrat again—is his family’s move into media. Through David Ellison’s Skydance, the family now has massive control over Paramount and CBS. This has some folks on the left terrified. They see Larry’s friendship with Trump and Netanyahu and worry that CBS News is going to take a hard right turn.
There’s already talk about bringing in "anti-woke" journalists to reshape the newsroom. Whether that actually happens or not, the perception is that the Ellison empire is a conservative one. It’s not just about software anymore; it’s about who controls the narrative in America.
Why the Confusion Persists
People get confused because Ellison doesn't "look" like a traditional Republican. He’s a college dropout who built a software empire in the heart of liberal California. He likes fast cars, yachts, and high-tech gadgets. He doesn't spend his time talking about social issues or religious values.
In fact, he's often quiet about the "culture war" stuff that dominates the news. He cares about AI, cloud computing, and global dominance. Because he doesn't fit the "MAGA" stereotype, people keep hoping or wondering if he’s a secret Democrat. He isn't. He’s just a billionaire who has realized that the modern GOP is much more aligned with his vision of an unregulated, tech-driven future.
📖 Related: Cox Tech Support Business Needs: What Actually Happens When the Internet Quits
Summary of the Political Shift
| Factor | Current Lean | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Donations | Deep Republican | Tens of millions to Tim Scott and GOP PACs. |
| Personal Relationships | Trump/GOP Aligned | Close ties to Trump; hosted major fundraisers. |
| Corporate Policy | Pro-Business/Anti-Reg | Moved Oracle to Texas to escape California’s "blue" policies. |
| Family Influence | Split | Son David remains a significant Democratic donor. |
What This Means for You
If you’re an investor, a tech worker, or just a voter, Ellison’s shift matters. It shows that the "Tech Liberal" archetype is dying. The wealthiest people in the world are increasingly moving toward the GOP because of tax policies and a shared disdain for California-style regulation.
If you want to keep track of where he’s putting his money next, you should:
- Monitor FEC Filings: Look at "Opportunity Matters Fund" or other PACs linked to Tim Scott. That’s where Larry’s money usually flows.
- Watch CBS News Changes: Keep an eye on the leadership at Paramount/CBS. If you see a shift in editorial tone, you’ll know the Ellison influence is at work.
- Follow Oracle’s Government Contracts: Politics and business are a circle. Ellison’s support for specific candidates often aligns with who is in a position to greenlight massive cloud computing deals for the Department of Defense.
At the end of the day, Larry Ellison is a Larry Ellison-ist. He’s going to support whoever makes it easier for him to build the world he wants to live in. Right now, that definitely isn't the Democrats.