Silicon Valley executives: Donald Trump would be a "disaster" for innovation
More than 140 executives and entrepreneurs at some of the major Silicon Valley companies are warning that Donald Trump would be a disaster for the technology industry.
"We have listened to Donald Trump over the past year and we have concluded: Trump would be a disaster for innovation," they wrote in an open letter posted on Medium.
The people who signed the letter are current or former executives of places like Facebook, Slack, Flickr, Tumblr, Apple, Yelp, Google, Reddit and Instagram.
Trump, they argued, stands against the open exchange of ideas, productive engagement and the free movement of people.
"We believe in an inclusive country that fosters opportunity, creativity and a level playing field. Donald Trump does not. He campaigns on anger, bigotry, fear of new ideas and new people, and a fundamental belief that America is weak and in decline," they wrote.
Trump has proposed "shutting down" parts of the Internet, which they said demonstrates "poor judgment and ignorance about how technology works."
They said they want a candidate who embraces respect for the rule of law, openness to newcomers, freedom of expression, and investments in infrastructure and research.