Jacob Silverman

Jacob Silverman is the author of Terms of Service: Social Media and the Price of Constant Connection and the coauthor of Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud. He is working on a book about Silicon Valley and the political right.

Elon Musk seeks liftoff at a Butler, Pennsylvania, Donald Trump rally.

Elon Musk Eyes a Shadow Presidency Elon Musk Eyes a Shadow Presidency

The world’s richest man is expecting a major return on investment for his lavish support of Trump's campaign.

Oct 30, 2024 / Jacob Silverman

Joe Rogan at a May UFC weigh-in event

How Trump Has Run Afoul of His Online Fanboys How Trump Has Run Afoul of His Online Fanboys

At the end of a dismal week for his campaign, the former president fought off a flurry of podcaster defections. 

Aug 12, 2024 / Jacob Silverman

Elon Musk during the Cannes Lions International Festival Of Creativity 2024.

It’s Official: Silicon Valley Is Fully MAGA-Pilled It’s Official: Silicon Valley Is Fully MAGA-Pilled

The tech industry is falling over itself to embrace Trump and J.D. Vance. It’s a mask-off moment.

Jul 18, 2024 / Jacob Silverman

Sam Bankman-Fried attends a bail hearing in Manhattan last August.

Sam Bankman-Fried’s Hallucinations of Grandeur Sam Bankman-Fried’s Hallucinations of Grandeur

The former crypto mogul faces a 25-year sentence for his financial con game

Apr 1, 2024 / Jacob Silverman

The TikTok stand at last year's Appliance and Electronics World Expo in Shanghai.

How GOP Megadonor Jeffrey Yass Can Clean Up on TikTok’s Forced Sale How GOP Megadonor Jeffrey Yass Can Clean Up on TikTok’s Forced Sale

The Pennsylvania billionaire has former TikTok detractors backing off a ban, but he'll be sitting pretty if a US takeover happens. 

Mar 15, 2024 / Jacob Silverman

A merchandising display at a 2022 crypto convention in Denver.

Rocky Mountain Lie Rocky Mountain Lie

The inside story of a scam nestled inside Colorado’s booming crypto trade

Jan 3, 2024 / James Block and Jacob Silverman

Sam Altman at Open AI's developer conference in San Francisco earlier this month

How Sam Altman Ran Afoul of the Keepers of the AI Faith How Sam Altman Ran Afoul of the Keepers of the AI Faith

Altman's departure from OpenAI was less a managerial dispute than a religious schism. 

Nov 21, 2023 / Jacob Silverman

Former crypto titan Sam Bankman-Fried outside Manhattan Federal Court.

The SBF Verdict and Crypto’s Unindicted Scam Network The SBF Verdict and Crypto’s Unindicted Scam Network

The high-profile trial leaves many questions unanswered, chiefly about FTX’s apparent role as a money-laundering operation.

Nov 6, 2023 / Jacob Silverman

How Rumble Is Planning to Be the Premier MAGA Platform

How Rumble Is Planning to Be the Premier MAGA Platform How Rumble Is Planning to Be the Premier MAGA Platform

The home of Power Slap has become the video platform of choice for powerful MAGA interests.

Jul 11, 2023 / Feature / Jacob Silverman

The Many Confessions of Sam Bankman-Fried

The Many Confessions of Sam Bankman-Fried The Many Confessions of Sam Bankman-Fried

The former crypto CEO can’t stop explaining himself.

Dec 2, 2022 / Jacob Silverman

x