Workers at Major US Tech Companies Overwhelmingly Support Kamala Harris, Data Reveals

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According to data compiled by political watchdog OpenSecrets, employees at some of the largest U.S. tech companies, including Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft, are strongly backing Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. Workers at these tech giants have donated millions to Harris’ campaign, significantly outpacing the contributions made to former President Donald Trump’s campaign.

Despite the substantial support from tech employees for Harris, some of Silicon Valley’s most prominent billionaires, such as Tesla CEO Elon Musk and venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, have thrown their weight behind Trump, praising his economic policies and business-friendly stances. The Nov. 5 election has sparked divisions in Silicon Valley, which has historically leaned Democratic. While entrepreneurs like Reid Hoffman and Mark Cuban are supporting Harris for her stance on tech policies and workers’ rights, other tech leaders have become disillusioned with Democratic policies, particularly around business regulations.

While corporations cannot donate directly to federal campaigns, employees can contribute to candidates of their choice. The data shows that Alphabet employees and their family members have contributed over $2.16 million to Harris, while Amazon and Microsoft employees have donated $1 million and $1.1 million, respectively. In contrast, Trump’s campaign has received far less support from tech workers, with Alphabet workers contributing just $57,000 to his campaign, and Amazon and Microsoft workers donating $116,000 and $88,000, respectively.

In contrast, Walmart workers have split their donations more evenly between the two candidates, with Trump’s campaign receiving slightly more support than Harris’. Analysts suggest that the difference in donations reflects the higher disposable income of tech company employees, who tend to earn more than workers in retail or other industries.

Although Meta and Apple employees haven’t yet reached the million-dollar donation mark, their contributions to Harris still dwarf those made to Trump. Meta employees have donated $835,000 to Harris and just $25,000 to Trump, while Apple workers have contributed $861,000 to Harris and $44,000 to Trump.

The data underscores Silicon Valley’s general left-leaning tendency, despite some influential figures in the tech world rallying behind the former president.

 

James Earl Jones, Legendary Actor and Iconic Voice of Darth Vader, Dies at 93

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James Earl Jones, the acclaimed actor whose powerful voice brought life to iconic characters such as Darth Vader and Mufasa, has died at the age of 93. Jones passed away on Monday at his home, surrounded by loved ones, according to his agent Barry McPherson. Though no specific cause of death was disclosed, Jones had long battled diabetes.

Known for his commanding presence on both stage and screen, Jones’ rich, resonant voice made him a legend. Whether portraying Shakespearean kings, lending gravitas to animated lions, or instilling fear as Darth Vader, Jones left an indelible mark on generations of audiences. Despite only providing the voice for Vader, Jones embraced the role and its impact on popular culture, often obliging fans with recitations of the famous line, “I am your father.”

Although Jones earned just $9,000 for his first role as Darth Vader and did not even ask to be credited in the original films, his portrayal became one of cinema’s most enduring legacies.

Jones’ career spanned six decades, earning him a slew of awards, including Tonys, Emmys, and a Grammy. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in The Great White Hope and received an honorary Oscar in 2011.

Born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi, Jones grew up battling a severe stutter, which silenced him for years. It wasn’t until a high school English teacher encouraged him to recite poetry that Jones began to find his voice, eventually overcoming the speech impediment and finding his calling in acting.

Jones broke ground for Black actors with roles that confronted racial issues head-on, including his Tony-winning performance as Jack Johnson in The Great White Hope and Reverend Stephen Kumalo in Cry, the Beloved Country. Though he preferred to let his work speak on social issues, Jones’ portrayal of powerful Black characters in a racially turbulent era made him a trailblazer.

Jones is survived by his son, Flynn Earl Jones. His contributions to film, theater, and television will continue to resonate, as will his legacy as one of the greatest voices of our time.

 

Fear of ‘Lost Generation’ as Gaza School Year Begins with All Classes Shut Amid Ongoing War

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The new school year in Gaza began under grim circumstances on Monday, with all schools closed due to 11 months of relentless war and no signs of a ceasefire. As the fighting raged on, Israel issued new evacuation orders for northern Gaza residents in response to rocket fire from the territory.

Umm Zaki, a mother of five, recounted how her son Moataz, who was supposed to start 10th grade, instead woke up in a tent in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah and had to fetch water from over a kilometer away. “Usually, this would be a day of celebration, seeing the children in their new uniforms, dreaming of becoming doctors and engineers,” she said. “Today, all we hope is for the war to end before we lose any of them.”

The Palestinian Education Ministry reported that all schools in Gaza remained shut, with 90% of them damaged or destroyed in Israel’s ongoing offensive, launched after Hamas’ attack on Israeli towns last October. Meanwhile, the U.N.’s Palestinian aid agency, UNRWA, has converted many of Gaza’s schools into emergency shelters for displaced families.

Juliette Touma, UNRWA’s Director of Communications, expressed concern about the long-term impact on Gaza’s children, warning of a “lost generation” vulnerable to exploitation, including child marriage, labor, and recruitment into armed groups. More than 625,000 students are currently missing school, alongside 58,000 six-year-olds who should have started first grade this year.

In an effort to support children’s mental health, UNRWA launched a back-to-learning program in 45 of its shelters, offering activities such as games, drama, arts, music, and sports.

Nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced multiple times. In the latest evacuation notice, Israel warned residents of northern Gaza to leave their homes due to continued rocket fire. The Israeli military reiterated that the area was considered a “dangerous combat zone.”

The United Nations is also urging residents to have their children vaccinated against polio amidst the violence, following Gaza’s first polio case in 25 years. A campaign targeting 640,000 children is underway, with 450,000 vaccinated as of Monday.

The ongoing conflict, which began with Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, has so far claimed over 40,900 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Both sides continue to accuse one another of obstructing ceasefire negotiations that could potentially end the violence and secure the release of hostages.