Sir Michael Moritz, the Cardiff-born billionaire who made his fortune in Silicon Valley, has launched a scathing attack on former US President Donald Trump, labelling him an "absurd buffoon" running a "protection racket." The remarks come amidst a dramatic start to the year for Trump, who has reiterated controversial ambitions regarding Greenland and Venezuela.
Silicon Valley Titan's Blunt Assessment
Sir Michael Moritz, whose wealth is estimated by The Sunday Times at a staggering £4.435 billion, made his comments in an interview with The Times. The venture capitalist, a partner at the famed firm Sequoia Capital, is well-connected in tech circles, being on first-name terms with figures like Elon Musk.
He expressed particular sympathy for Musk, who supported Trump's re-election. "Poor Elon, I thought he didn't understand quite who he was dealing with," Moritz said. He suggested that many who publicly associate with the former president privately hold him in contempt. "Most of these people who pose in pictures with Trump, they have his number. And they realise what an absurd buffoon he is," he stated, adding, "But he's running a protection racket and they've got to pay for protection."
Trump's Controversial Geopolitical Ambitions
Moritz's criticism extends beyond personality to policy, though he conceded Trump identifies real issues like trade competition with China and immigration. His comments coincide with renewed focus on Trump's foreign policy stance.
In recent statements, Trump has forcefully reiterated his desire for the United States to acquire Greenland, the vast Danish autonomous territory. He claimed that if the US does not take control, Russia or China will invade it. "We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not," Trump declared, stating he would achieve it the "easy way" or the "hard way." He declined to discuss a potential purchase price, saying he wasn't talking about money "yet."
This follows the dramatic start to 2026, which saw a US raid in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, an action Trump discussed at an event with oil companies interested in the country's resources.
A Welsh Perspective on Global Power
Now based in San Francisco, Sir Michael Moritz's perspective as a hugely successful British expatriate in America offers a unique critique of the current political landscape. His fortune, built through early investments in companies like Google and PayPal via Sequoia Capital, places him among the world's most influential financial figures.
His blunt assessment underscores the deep divisions and complex relationships between the tech elite and political power, particularly concerning the polarising figure of Donald Trump. As Trump continues to pursue an aggressive and unconventional geopolitical agenda, voices like Moritz's highlight the significant international concern and criticism it generates.
