
10/14/2025
In one of the boldest claims of influence yet, a Trump adviser has reportedly said that tech billionaire Larry Ellison acts as a “shadow president of the United States.” The remark paints Ellison not just as an advisor, but as someone wielding power behind the scenes.
Ellison, cofounder of Oracle, is already deeply involved in high-stakes arenas: cloud computing, AI infrastructure, and digital policy. In recent months, his name has surfaced in discussions around federal tech contracts, media mergers, and control over data infrastructure. The alleged comment suggests his reach might extend beyond business into political sway.
If true, the notion of a “shadow president” stirs debate over what real power means in modern Washington. Does Ellison pull strings subtly, or openly? Is he shaping policy or setting agendas? And what does that say about the boundaries between money, tech, and leadership?
Some see the claim as hyperbole, a dramatic way to underscore Ellison’s influence without literal truth. Others warn it signals a deeper risk: that unelected billionaires may guide national decisions without accountability.
Whatever the reality, one thing is clear: this idea has captured the public imagination. It forces us to examine who really holds power today, and how much the world is willing to let it operate in the shadows.