‘Racist’: Anti-Muslim Comments by Leading Tech Investor Trigger Backlash in Silicon Valley

‘Racist’: Anti-Muslim Comments by Leading Tech Investor Trigger Backlash in Silicon Valley
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A tweet by Shaun Maguire, a partner at the prominent Silicon Valley venture capital firm Sequoia Capital, has sparked widespread backlash for fueling anti-Muslim sentiment in the tech industry, Iqna reported. Maguire’s tweet targeted New York State Assembly member and city comptroller candidate Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of promoting an “Islamist agenda” and claiming that Mamdani’s culture “lies about everything,” suggesting dishonesty is a virtue if it serves that agenda.

The tweet, which has garnered over 5.5 million views, has drawn sharp criticism for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and normalizing bigotry. Nadia Rahman, a political activist based in San Francisco, described the remarks as “racist” and condemned the sweeping generalizations. She emphasized that when influential figures like Maguire share such rhetoric without facing consequences, it sends a message that such prejudice is acceptable.

Sequoia Capital, known for investing in companies such as Apple, YouTube, and Nvidia, has yet to respond publicly. Meanwhile, more than 900 tech founders have signed an open letter demanding the firm condemn Maguire’s statements, accusing him of a “documented pattern of anti-Muslim rhetoric” and stating that leadership from a firm whose partners engage in hate speech is unacceptable.