Joe Gebbia, Airbnb’s co-founder, has ditched the Democrats in favor of President Donald Trump, citing a border crisis spiraling out of control, as the New York Post reports. His defection from lifelong liberalism to the Republican camp signals a growing unease with progressive policies that many see as undermining national security. Gebbia’s move is a wake-up call for those still clinging to open-border fantasies.
Gebbia, once a staunch Democrat, began questioning his party loyalty around 2021 as the Biden administration’s immigration enforcement faltered. His shift wasn’t a whim but a calculated pivot, driven by what he saw as a dangerous disregard for border laws. This isn’t just one entrepreneur’s rebellion -- it’s a symptom of broader frustration with unchecked policies.
“Holy cow, this is crazy,” Gebbia said on The Katie Miller Podcast, reacting to the border mess. His shock mirrors what many Americans feel when they see porous borders letting chaos slip through. Progressive platitudes about compassion don’t hold up when laws go unenforced.
Gebbia’s journey to the right wasn’t a solo trip; he leaned on high-profile friends such as Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, for political clarity. Conversations with Kushner peeled back the curtain on issues the mainstream media often glosses over. It’s no surprise that personal networks can reshape political loyalties when trust in institutions wanes.
By 2021, Gebbia’s disillusionment with the Democrats solidified as he watched the border situation deteriorate. “This is not right,” he said, slamming the lack of enforcement. His frustration is a slap in the face to those who think open borders are a feel-good policy with no consequences.
Friendships with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now Health and Human Services secretary, and Elon Musk further nudged Gebbia toward Trump’s orbit. These aren’t just casual acquaintances but influential figures challenging the progressive status quo. Their impact shows how ideas from outside the establishment can sway even lifelong liberals.
“I’ve been so grateful for the work that [Kennedy] is doing,” Gebbia said, praising RFK Jr.’s push to reform health policy without industry baggage. His admiration for Kennedy’s wall-busting approach reveals a hunger for leaders who prioritize results over ideology. Contrast that with the Democrats’ obsession with performative virtue.
Gebbia didn’t just talk the talk; he walked it by volunteering with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency in February. His focus was streamlining the government employee retirement process—a practical move to cut bureaucratic bloat. It’s the kind of hands-on reform that exposes the left’s love for red tape.
By last month, Gebbia’s commitment earned him a spot as chief design officer of the National Design Studio, appointed by Trump himself. His task? Overhauling federal websites to make them user-friendly, a mission that could embarrass the clunky systems progressives have left untouched.
“I don’t think I can support a political party that wants to have an open border,” Gebbia declared, cutting to the heart of his defection. His stance isn’t about xenophobia but a demand for basic law and order -- something the Biden administration seems allergic to. The left’s refusal to address this fuels defections like his.
Gebbia’s blunt assessment that open borders let in “criminals and dangerous people” isn’t hyperbole; it’s a reality check. The progressive narrative dodges the hard truth that lax enforcement endangers communities. His words sting because they expose a policy failure too glaring to ignore.
“That’s just not something I can get behind,” Gebbia added, drawing a line in the sand. His rejection of the Democrats’ border stance is a rejection of their broader disconnect from everyday Americans. It’s a bold move for a Silicon Valley titan to call out the left’s sacred cows.
“Everyone’s been on a journey,” Gebbia said, framing his shift as part of a larger awakening. His path from Democrat to Trump supporter reflects a growing distrust in progressive dogma that prioritizes ideology over security. It’s a trend that should make the left nervous.
Gebbia’s role in the National Design Studio isn’t just a job; it’s a platform to challenge the inefficiencies of a bloated government. Trump’s choice of a tech innovator for this role signals a shift toward practical governance over bureaucratic inertia. The contrast with Biden’s status quo couldn’t be starker.
Gebbia’s defection is a warning shot: even lifelong liberals are fed up with policies that erode national sovereignty. His story, amplified by friendships with Kennedy and Musk, underscores a rejection of woke orthodoxy in favor of common-sense solutions. The Democrats’ border blunder just lost them another heavy hitter.
