First on FOX: One prominent figure in the crypto and artificial intelligence sectors aiming to partner with the Trump administration has a background steeped in Democratic politics. This individual, Chris Leharn, has a long history of supporting anti-Trump initiatives while also funding Democratic candidates and causes.
Records from the Federal Election Commission indicate that Leharn, a seasoned political strategist with roots in the Clinton administration, has contributed over $150,000 to Democrats. Many of these individuals have been vocal critics of Trump for quite some time.
Leharn was notably a key supporter of Senator Mark Warner, who opposed Trump during significant events like the 2021 trial and voiced opposition against some of Trump’s cabinet selections. In March, he also co-hosted a fundraiser in San Francisco for Virginia’s senators, alongside OpenAI’s Sam Altman.
Warner has actively resisted the Trump administration’s agenda, frequently criticizing its handling of various matters including the “sloppy” signal chat issue, while advocating against government mismanagement. Leharn has also made substantial donations to campaigns for Biden and Harris.
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In 2024, Leharn took a seat on the board of directors for Coinbase, a major crypto exchange that’s been influential in shaping policies related to crypto and AI recently.
According to FEC records, Coinbase and its prominent investors have contributed over $22 million to Democratic candidates and committees, which is significantly more than the less than $5 million donated to Republican causes.
This includes nearly $50,000 to Kamala Harris’s campaign over the years. Ron Conway, a major investor in Coinbase and a Democratic benefactor, has contributed more than $300,000 to the DNC and over $1.5 million to the DCCC, along with millions to various political action committees.
Since 1999, board member Fred Wilson has donated upwards of $2 million to political campaigns, with only around $17,600 of that going to Republicans.
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Coinbase’s Global Advisory Council has a composition of Trump critics, which includes voters from the Biden and Obama camps, alongside figures like former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Interestingly, former GOP Senator Pat Toomey declared he won’t vote for Trump again, while Stephanie Murphy, a past Democratic lawmaker, was involved in the January 6 committee.
Julia Krieger, Coinbase’s US public relations director, previously worked in media relations for American Bridge, a Democratic research firm, and has held multiple roles in the Biden administration and the 2020 campaign.
However, two Trump supporters do sit on Coinbase’s advisory committee—David Urban, who was recently the chief operating officer of the Republican National Committee and played various roles in Trump’s 2024 campaign. Some of Coinbase’s management team, like Brian Armstrong and Paul Grawal, have also donated to Republicans.
The CEO of Coinbase, Armstrong, was present at the Trump White House’s Script Summit earlier this year.
According to data from OpenSecrets regarding the 2024 election cycle, donations from Coinbase have shown a pretty even split between Congressional Democrats and Republicans.
“We’ve always aimed to endorse candidates who advocate for innovation in crypto and blockchain, and we are proud of that,” stated Fariya Shirzad, Coinbase’s Chief Policy Officer and a former high-ranking National Security Council member under President George W. Bush.
Leharn is additionally the Vice President of Global Affairs at OpenAI. Recently reported, he’s involved in a new AI initiative tied to some left-leaning causes, and many board members align with Democratic values.
This seasoned Democratic operative also serves as the operating partner at Haun Ventures, where employees have predominantly donated to Democratic candidates. Since 2022, those associated with Haun Ventures have made 43 individual political contributions, all directed to Democrats, accumulating over $110,000.
Leharn has been recognized for coining the phrase “The Spread Right-wing Conspiracy,” linked to the Monica Lewinsky scandal during his time in the Clinton administration, and has been labeled a “master of political dark art” by notable media.
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“It’s surprising to see another Trump aversion, yet it somewhat reassures me for business with Trump,” someone close to the Trump administration expressed. “Trump’s not one to be easily deceived.”
Lately, Leharn has shared insights about his commitment to prioritizing Crypto and AI technologies, even visiting the White House in March. He “has conducted numerous meetings with Trump administration figures regarding AI policies and anticipates a comprehensive strategy to be unveiled by summer,” as reported by Axios.
“The administration shows a genuine focus on crafting an AI strategy aimed at enhancing the US’s economic standing and national security,” Leharn told the outlet.
“Our lines of work converge with ongoing administrative efforts.”
Leharn penned an Op-Ed for Fox News in March.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated to clarify that Ron Conway is a top investor in Coinbase, not a board member.
