**Jacob Helberg Retains AI and Tech Investments as Under Secretary of State**
Jacob Helberg, a former adviser at Palantir Technologies Inc., is set to maintain his investments in various artificial intelligence, defense, and fintech companies as he embarks on his new role as Under Secretary of State in Donald Trump’s administration. In a recent filing, Helberg disclosed that he will continue to hold stakes in notable firms such as OpenAI, Anduril Industries, SpaceX, the Boring Company, and Neuralink. The latter three companies are led by Elon Musk, who has attracted numerous individuals from their shared professional circles into his Department of Government Efficiency.
At 35, Helberg previously served as a senior adviser to Palantir CEO Alex Karp. He is married to Keith Rabois, a managing director at Khosla Ventures and a long-time business associate of Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel. Rabois, 56, has collaborated with Thiel as a general partner at Founders Fund, a venture capital firm established by Thiel. Helberg’s assets are managed through limited liability companies associated with Khosla Ventures and Founders Fund.
In his May 5 ethics disclosure, Helberg acknowledged the potential conflicts of interest that may arise from his financial ties, stating that he will recuse himself from any matters that could impact his husband’s work or their shared financial interests. His financial disclosure indicates that he and Rabois possess assets valued at a minimum of $114 million, which includes stocks, bank accounts, and municipal bonds. Nominees typically report their holdings in broad ranges and must also account for their spouses’ assets.
This situation highlights the ongoing connections between Silicon Valley and Washington during Trump’s second administration, particularly among a select group of tech billionaires known as the PayPal Mafia. Numerous individuals associated with Thiel and Musk, who has significant influence over the federal government through his oversight of DOGE, have been integrated into the administration. Both Musk and Thiel, along with David Sacks—who has been appointed as Trump’s AI and crypto czar—were either founders or early employees of PayPal Holdings Inc.
As Under Secretary of State, Helberg will oversee economic and technology-related issues, focusing on international relations. His responsibilities will include addressing China’s classification as a “developing country,” fostering diplomatic ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and encouraging foreign manufacturers to establish operations in the United States.
**FAQ**
*What role will Jacob Helberg play as Under Secretary of State?*
Jacob Helberg will focus on economic and technology-related issues, including international relations and fostering diplomatic ties between countries.
