When you think of Silicon Valley politics, your mind probably goes to one of two places: the ultra-progressive, yoga-in-the-office tech crowd or the "accelerationist" techno-libertarians. But then there is Larry Ellison. The Oracle co-founder doesn't exactly fit into a neat little box. He’s a guy who owns 98% of a Hawaiian island, flies fighter jets, and, quite frankly, doesn't seem to care if his political leanings make people in Menlo Park uncomfortable.
Honestly, the larry ellison political affiliation isn't some mystery, but it is deeply layered. He’s a massive Republican donor, sure, but he’s also a pragmatist. He’s been a vocal friend to Donald Trump, yet he’s poured tens of millions into more "traditional" GOP figures like Senator Tim Scott. While younger tech moguls try to mask their influence, Ellison is a throwback to the era of the unapologetic power broker. He uses his wealth to shape the world—or at least the parts of it he finds interesting.
The Republican Megadonor: More Than Just a Checkbook
Let’s be real: in the world of high-stakes politics, money talks louder than any stump speech. Ellison has historically been one of the GOP's most reliable ATM machines. During the 2022 midterms alone, he pumped over $31 million into Republican congressional efforts. That’s not just "supporting a candidate"—that’s trying to build a firewall in D.C.
His biggest project in recent years was South Carolina Senator Tim Scott. Ellison didn't just write a check; he basically bankrolled the Opportunity Matters Fund, a super PAC aligned with Scott, to the tune of $35 million over several years. People close to the situation say Ellison sees Scott as a rare kind of leader—someone who can bridge the gap between traditional conservatism and a more modern, optimistic Republicanism. Scott even flew out to Ellison’s private island, Lanai, to talk strategy.
It’s a different vibe than your typical political fundraiser. There’s something sorta fascinating about two powerful men discussing the future of the country on a volcanic island in the middle of the Pacific.
The Trump Connection and the 2020 Fallout
You can’t talk about larry ellison political affiliation without mentioning Donald Trump. Unlike many of his peers who kept Trump at arm’s length (at least publicly), Ellison leaned in. In early 2020, he hosted a massive fundraiser for Trump at his estate in Coachella Valley. This wasn't a popular move at Oracle. Thousands of employees signed a petition protesting the event, and some even walked out.
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Did Ellison blink? Not really.
The relationship went deeper than just money. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ellison worked directly with the Trump administration to build a database for tracking the use of hydroxychloroquine. Later, when the U.S. government was pressuring TikTok to find an American buyer, Oracle emerged as the preferred partner. Many saw this as a direct result of Ellison’s "friend of the president" status.
But things got more complicated after the 2020 election. Reports eventually surfaced that Ellison participated in a conference call on November 14, 2020, to discuss ways to challenge the legitimacy of the election results. The call included figures like Senator Lindsey Graham and attorneys focused on investigating claims of voter fraud. This puts Ellison in a tiny group of tech titans who actually got into the weeds of the election-denial movement, a move that still garners him a lot of heat in the tech press.
A Media Empire in the Making?
Fast forward to early 2026, and the Ellison influence is shifting from software to screens. Larry’s son, David Ellison, who runs Skydance Media, just finalized a massive deal to take over Paramount Global—the parent company of CBS News.
Now, why does this matter for politics? Because Larry Ellison is the guy bankrolling the deal.
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There’s a lot of chatter in the media world right now about whether CBS News will "pivot right." Critics point to Larry’s friendship with Trump and David’s willingness to hire "disruptor" figures like Bari Weiss to advise on news strategy. It’s a huge deal. If one of the world’s biggest Republican donors effectively controls a "Big Three" news network, the political landscape changes overnight.
Some people think it’s just business. Others see it as the ultimate expression of larry ellison political affiliation—moving from funding candidates to controlling the narrative itself.
The Great California Exit
Another huge part of the Ellison political story is his relationship with his home state. Like many of his billionaire neighbors, Ellison has grown increasingly frustrated with California’s tax structure and regulatory environment.
By 2025 and moving into 2026, the "Billionaire Tax" proposals in California have acted as a catalyst. Ellison moved Oracle's headquarters to Austin, Texas, years ago, but his personal migration is more symbolic. He’s spent more and more time in Lanai and Florida, effectively "voting with his feet."
- He’s pushed for more business-friendly environments.
- He’s vocally supported the "Stargate" AI-infrastructure project, an initiative backed by the Trump administration to keep the U.S. ahead of China in the tech race.
- He’s reportedly sold off major San Francisco real estate holdings to distance himself from the state's fiscal policies.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often assume Ellison is just a "Trump guy." That’s too simple.
He’s actually donated to Democrats in the past, though it’s been a long time since that was his primary focus. He’s a "Larry Ellison guy" first. He supports politicians who he believes will protect American tech interests and maintain a strong stance against foreign competitors.
His son, David Ellison, has actually donated to Democrats, including nearly $1 million to the Biden Victory Fund in 2024. This creates a weird dynamic in the family: a Republican megadonor father and a son who, at least on paper, has supported the other side. It suggests the Ellison political machine is more about access and influence than pure, blind partisanship.
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Actionable Insights: Following the Ellison Playbook
If you’re trying to understand how the larry ellison political affiliation affects the business world, here are a few things to watch:
- Watch the Media Shift: Keep an eye on CBS News and Paramount+ over the next 12 months. Any significant changes in editorial tone or "anti-woke" programming will likely be traced back to the Ellison influence.
- AI Policy as Politics: Ellison is a massive believer in AI as a national security tool. Expect him to lobby heavily for deregulation in the AI space, framing it as a "West vs. East" competition.
- The Texas-Florida-Tennessee Axis: Ellison’s move away from California isn't a fluke. It's a blueprint. Watch for other tech leaders to follow his lead as they seek more politically aligned environments for their headquarters.
Ellison isn't going anywhere. At 81, he’s as active as ever, and with his family now controlling a significant chunk of the American media landscape, his political views are no longer just a curiosity—they're a force of nature. He’s proven that you don’t have to be liked by the Silicon Valley establishment to dominate it. You just have to be richer and more willing to play the long game.
To stay ahead of how this affects your portfolio or the news you consume, keep a close watch on the FCC filings regarding the Paramount merger and any new "Stargate" project developments coming out of D.C. This is where the real power moves are happening.