Silicon Valley’s new power play? Perplexity AI CEO claps back at Musk amid USAID shutdown drama

Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity AI, just threw a bold jab at Elon Musk amid the USAID shutdown controversy, hinting at a shift in Silicon Valley’s political engagement.

Tech titans are no strangers to shaping public discourse, but the latest jab from Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity AI, suggests a new power dynamic unfolding in Silicon Valley.

Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity AI, just threw a bold jab at Elon Musk amid the USAID shutdown controversy, hinting at a shift in Silicon Valley’s political engagement.

“Considering raising $500B from USAID. Funding secured. Stop me if you can @elonmusk,” Srinivas' post echoes the phrasing of Musk’s well-known ‘Funding secured’ tweet, which once landed the Tesla chief in trouble with the SEC. While it's unclear if the Perplexity AI CEO intended a direct reference, the comment adds a layer of irony given Musk’s recent stance on USAID.

Considering raising $500B from USAID. Funding secured. Stop me if you can @elonmusk
Aravind Srinivas (@AravSrinivas) February 5, 2025

His comment arrives amid the Trump administration’s sweeping overhaul of USAID, a move that has sparked heated debates. Earlier this month, the administration cut thousands of jobs at the agency, calling it a ‘corrupt organisation’ that had mismanaged funds and wasted taxpayer money. The restructuring plan, as per Reuters, would leave fewer than 300 staffers, with USAID expected to merge into the State Department under Marco Rubio’s leadership.

Musk’s influence on the USAID shutdown

Musk has been one of the most vocal critics of USAID, calling it a ‘criminal organization’ even before Trump’s decision to dismantle it. He has consistently attacked US government agencies, including the SEC, FAA, and NASA, over regulatory policies he deems inefficient. When Trump announced the USAID shutdown, Musk doubled down, saying, “Crazy waste of your tax money!”

Crazy waste of your tax money! https://t.co/9dEoj9xeMf Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 5, 2025

Trump himself echoed similar sentiments, saying, “USAID has been run by a bunch of radical lunatics, and we’re getting them out.” According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), USAID employed over 10,000 people worldwide, with two-thirds working outside the US. Over the years, the agency has funded international development programs, but critics—including Musk and Trump—argue that it has operated without accountability.

A new tech power dynamic?

While Musk has long dominated political discourse in tech, Srinivas’ comment signals that AI entrepreneurs are no longer just bystanders. Unlike traditional Silicon Valley figures who focus on innovation, leaders like Musk, Srinivas, and OpenAI’s Sam Altman are increasingly weighing in on political and regulatory affairs.

Musk’s influence over US policymaking has been apparent for years. In 2022, reports revealed that the Biden administration consulted him privately on Ukraine war strategies regarding Starlink services, as reported by The Lever. More recently, Musk has held discussions with Chinese officials about Tesla’s operations and AI regulation, as per a Reuters report. His endorsement of Republican and libertarian policies has also led to speculation that he is actively participating in political narratives.

Meanwhile, Srinivas, an emerging AI figure, appears to be using humour and wit to challenge Musk’s dominance. Whether or not it was meant as a serious remark, the post highlights how the new generation of AI leaders is increasingly engaging in political conversations, often by taking jabs at Silicon Valley’s old guard.

For example, Altman has testified before Congress about AI regulation and has criticised how Silicon Valley handles AI ethics. He has called for government intervention in AI development, something many old-guard tech figures, including Musk, have resisted.

Mustafa Suleyman (Inflection AI, DeepMind Co-founder) has been vocal about the need for stronger AI regulations, even as older tech leaders like Musk advocate for self-regulation. He has also criticised the monopolistic tendencies of Big Tech companies like Google and Meta.

Some, like Yann LeCun and Timnit Gebru, have even publicly clashed with tech giants like Elon Musk, reinforcing this generational shift in AI leadership.