The Ellison Dynasty: Power Behind Trump’s Second Term

1. The Shadow Architect of Trumpworld

In the inner circles of Donald Trump’s second term, Larry Ellison, cofounder and chairman of Oracle, has emerged as the most influential unseen power broker—a figure likened to a “shadow president” by Trump administration advisers. Unlike the more publicized Musk, Murdoch, or Thiel, Ellison operates with the discretion of a master strategist, leveraging his wealth and influence quietly. While figures like Elon Musk scramble to regain Trump’s favor (after a public rift and abortive third-party bid), Ellison, 81, and his 42-year-old son David have built a silent empire spanning technology, media, and politics.

This discreet dominance contrasts sharply with contemporaries: Musk’s erratic media antics, Murdoch’s declining visibility as he cedes control to his son Lachlan, and Thiel’s preoccupation with esoteric political themes. Ellison’s advantage lies in the inherent lack of public visibility surrounding his business operations in cloud infrastructure, databases, and server technology—a sector often overshadowed by flashier tech endeavors. Yet, insiders confirm, his influence is profound. As one Trumpworld AI industry source notes: “He’s the anti-Elon. Not feared directly, but those in the know recognize his immense pull.”

2. Political Maneuvering: Donor, Fundraiser, and Power Broker

Ellison’s rise to influence stems from strategic political alignment. After decades of bipartisan donations, he pivoted toward the GOP during Barack Obama’s presidency, citing perceived hostility to Israel and dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership. His 2012 $3 million donation to a pro-Mitt Romney super PAC marked a decisive shift. By the 2024 Republican primary, he quietly backed South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott—a potential vice-presidential candidate—as a “safe” hedge against prolonged contests and potential spoiler candidates.

This proved merely a precursor to his true loyalty: “His involvement with GOP politicians like Tim Scott was the appetizer,” a Republican source explains. “Trump is the main course.” By positioning himself as a reliable donor and fundraiser, Ellison secured direct access to the Trump administration, which has since directed significant business opportunities his way.

3. Expanding Domains: Tech, Media, and AI Dominance

Ellison’s empire now spans multiple critical sectors, capitalizing on Trump-era policy shifts and technological consolidation:

• Vertical Video & TikTok: Oracle already hosts TikTok’s U.S. servers, and Ellison’s pending role in a new ownership consortium for the platform underscores his vertical video dominance.

• Media Monopoly: David Ellison’s Skydance Media, merged with Paramount, has expanded into a conglomerate controlling broadcast rights to UFC (via US network deals) and entertainment giants like CBS and CNN. Speculation swirls around a potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, solidifying Ellison’s family grip on news and entertainment.

• AI Leadership: With the recent $100 billion Oracle-Nvidia-OpenAI partnership and oversight of OpenAI’s Stargate data center in Abilene, Texas, Ellison is poised to dominate AI infrastructure—a sector where human attention (now the world’s most valuable commodity) is increasingly commoditized.

4. David Ellison: The Heir Apparent

While Larry Ellison ages, his legacy rests with his son David, a former actor turned media mogul. After his acting career stalled, David pivoted to C-suite leadership, steering Skydance into Paramount’s merger and expanding the family’s media footprint. Though publicly affiliated with Democrats, David’s political donations and business acumen suggest a pragmatic approach: “It felt less like civic duty and more like, ‘What’s in it for me?’” a campaign staffer familiar with his outreach explains.

David’s media ambitions mirror his father’s strategic pragmatism. His acquisition of Paramount (and potential Warner Bros. Discovery merger) positions him to rival Rupert Murdoch’s traditional media empire, with CNN and CBS under his purview—a Murdoch-esque consolidation of conservative-leaning content.

5. The Stealth Strategy: From “Bad Boy” to Elder Statesman

Ellison’s evolution from the “1990s bad boy” (known for flamboyant purchases like Lanai Island and fighter jets) to a quiet power broker reflects calculated reinvention. His current “elder statesman” role—operating without fanfare but wielding outsized influence—has yielded results: the Trump administration’s tacit support for his business interests, his son’s media empire, and his AI-driven dominance.

As one insider notes: “Larry has found his lane. Without grand pronouncements, he shapes policy and commerce. The strategy works.” With human attention as a new frontier, Ellison and his family are poised to redefine 21st-century power dynamics—from tech infrastructure to media agendas—all while remaining the ultimate shadow players.

This article is adapted from Jake Lahut’s Inner Loop newsletter. For previous editions, visit here.