Intel’s Brian Krzanich reportedly was going to hold a fundraiser for Donald Trump that was set for Thursday night, but the event was canceled and the chip maker’s CEO later insisted that he’s not endorsing anyone for president.
Krzanich’s fundraiser, which was scheduled to be held at his Atherton home, was supposed to include “a full exchange of views,” Intel told the New York Times. But the event was canceled without explanation hours later, according to the newspaper.
Any perceived support by Krzanich for Trump may seem like a mismatch. The former is known for a $300 million commitment to diversifying Intel’s workplace, while the latter has made divisive and derogatory statements about everyone from Mexican immigrants to Muslims to women, and is being called “The Great White Hope.”
Wednesday night, Krzanich tweeted the following:
I do not intend to endorse any Presidential candidate. We are interested in engaging both campaigns in open dialogue on issues in technology
— Brian Krzanich (@bkrunner) June 2, 2016
According to Intel’s corporate responsibility report, the company’s political action committee gave equally to both major political parties in 2015.
Trump, who will hold a rally in San Jose tonight, doesn’t seem to have many high-profile tech-industry supporters.
As we’ve reported on SiliconBeat, Trump and his campaign have been critical of Apple CEO Tim Cook, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. Zuckerberg has seemed to take a swipe at Trump’s policies without naming him, while Bezos has hit back at Trump by name. Hewlett Packard Enterprises CEO Meg Whitman, a Republican who once ran for California governor, has slammed Trump.
“Look at the comments he’s made about women, about Muslims, about reporters, it’s just repugnant,” Whitman said in March. (Whitman had thrown her support behind New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a failed presidential candidate who is now supporting Trump.)
However, billionaire investor Peter Thiel will be serving as a California delegate for Trump at the Republican convention.
The NYT article cites figures from Crowdpac that say Trump has raised $16,420 from people who work in tech, while Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have raised $2.7 million and $6 million, respectively, from donors who work in tech.
As for Krzanich’s U-turn on a Trump fundraiser, some people let him have it on Twitter.
@bkrunner “not endorsing” speaks volumes given that Trump has anti-diversity, anti-immigration, anti-trade, etc policies.
— Hunter Walk (@hunterwalk) June 2, 2016
@bkrunner …given that Intel has rich history of diversity initiatives & Mr Grove Hungarian-born, your stance all the more disappointing
— Hunter Walk (@hunterwalk) June 2, 2016
@bkrunner Inviting Trump, a blatant anti-immigrant (Intel was founded by an immigrant), for dialog is absurd! Terrible judgement for a CEO.
— Avinash Kenkare (@AvinashKenkare) June 2, 2016
Photo: Intel CEO Brian Krzanich on the set of “America’s Greatest Makers,” an Intel-backed TV show, in March 2016. Krzanich has canceled a fundraiser for Donald Trump. (Associated Press)
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