Jacob Helberg
Jacob Helberg is an American and French writer and technology advisor. He is currently serving as the Under [Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment] in the second Trump administration.
Helberg serves as a commissioner for the U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission, and senior advisor to Alex Karp, CEO of Palantir Technologies. Helberg has commented extensively on US–China relations, and the national security implications of Chinese-developed web apps like TikTok.
Personal life
Helberg grew up in a Jewish family in France. He married American investor Keith Rabois in a 2018 ceremony officiated by Sam Altman.Helberg graduated from George Washington University with a BA and then the NYU Law - NYU Tandon MS in Cybersecurity Risk & Strategy program in 2020.
Political involvement
Helberg became a leading advocate for the 2024 passage of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which forced a sale or ban of TikTok. Helberg is the founder of the Hill and Valley Forum, a working group of American venture capitalists and lawmakers concerned about China's impact on the American technology industry.Helberg is one of the top donors to Donald Trump's Donald [Trump 2024 presidential campaign|2024 reelection campaign], donating $2 million in 2024. Previously, Helberg primarily donated to Democratic candidates, including the Pete Buttigieg 2020 presidential campaign. He attributes his shift to the COVID-19 pandemic, technological concerns about China, and anti-Israel views among Democrats.
On December 10, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced Helberg would be the under secretary of state for [economic growth, energy, and the environment] in his second term.