Trump assassination attempt, Secret Service failure, Inside the RNC, VC liquidity problem

Bestie intros: Live from the RNC! rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">(00:00:00)

• The chapter begins with a humorous introduction, referencing David Sachs as the "Rainman" and "Puppet Master" behind Donald Trump's decisions.
• Sachs, who is at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, clarifies that he is being given too much credit for influencing Trump's decisions, emphasizing that the president ultimately makes his own choices.
• Sachs acknowledges the recent assassination attempt on Trump and expresses concern for the president's well-being, stating that he believes Trump is in good spirits despite the tragedy.

Reacting to the assassination attempt against President Trump rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">(00:01:34)

• The chapter discusses the assassination attempt on former President Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania. A 20-year-old named Thomas Matthew Crooks fired eight rounds from an AR-15 at Trump, striking his right ear. A Trump supporter, Corey Comparator, was tragically killed while protecting his family, and two others were critically injured. Crooks was killed by the Secret Service counter sniper team 26 seconds after firing the first shot.
• The Secret Service's failure to secure the rooftop from which Crooks fired is being heavily criticized. The timeline of events reveals that Crooks was identified as a person of interest at 5:10 PM, spotted with a rangefinder at 5:30 PM, and seen on the roof by the Secret Service at 5:52 PM. Trump took the stage at 6:02 PM, and Crooks fired his first shot at 6:12 PM.
• The panelists discuss their reactions to the event, highlighting Trump's courage in standing up to the shooter and facing the crowd. They also express shock and disbelief at the Secret Service's negligence, questioning how such a lapse in security could occur.
• The panelists emphasize the gravity of the situation, noting that Trump was nearly killed in front of thousands of people on live television. They also discuss the potential for violent counter-reactions and the impact of the event on the upcoming election.
• The chapter concludes with a call for a thorough investigation into the Secret Service's actions and a discussion of the potential political ramifications of the assassination attempt.

Impact of charged rhetoric rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">(00:12:52)

• The speaker argues that both sides of the political spectrum have used inflammatory rhetoric, but that the Democrats have gone further in demonizing Donald Trump, comparing him to Hitler and repeatedly claiming he is a threat to democracy. This rhetoric, the speaker argues, creates a dangerous environment where individuals with mental health issues might be more likely to interpret violent language literally and act on it.
• The speaker acknowledges that both sides have used targeted language and that the media often reflects this rhetoric. However, they believe that the Democrats' consistent demonization of Trump, particularly through comparisons to Hitler, is particularly concerning.
• The speaker emphasizes that while they don't blame anyone for individual instances of potentially violent language, they do hold the Democrats responsible for their systematic campaign strategy of demonizing Trump. This strategy, the speaker argues, has created a climate where violence against Trump could be seen as justified by some individuals.

Secret Service's massive failure; institutional decay rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">(00:21:15)

• The Secret Service's failure to protect President Trump during an assassination attempt raises serious concerns about institutional decay and the need for accountability. The speaker argues that the Secret Service's performance was riddled with errors, including failing to cover the most obvious shooting spot, not intercepting the shooter despite knowing he was a person of interest, and a significant delay in getting the president to safety after the shooting.
• The speaker criticizes the Secret Service's lack of transparency and their tendency to circle the wagons instead of accepting responsibility. They point to the deletion of text messages related to the January 6th Capitol riot as evidence of this pattern. The speaker calls for a full investigation into the Secret Service's actions, with agents being offered immunity to testify on Capitol Hill.
• The speaker argues that the Secret Service's failure is symptomatic of a broader problem of institutional incompetence and lack of accountability within the federal government. They compare the situation to the Afghanistan withdrawal, where no one was held accountable for the deaths of American citizens. The speaker believes that the Secret Service needs to be stripped down and rebuilt from the top, and that the federal government needs to implement a system of accountability for its programs and institutions.

Inside the RNC: Sacks breaks down his speech rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">(00:37:02)

• Sacks prepared for his speech for a week, rewriting the initial draft with his research assistant. He worked with the RNC to ensure his speech fit within the allotted time and word count.
• Sacks had to learn how to use a teleprompter, which was operated by a person in the room. He also had to find a balance between speaking to the audience in the convention hall and those watching at home.
• Sacks' speech was controversial, as he argued that the Biden administration provoked the war in Ukraine by talking about NATO expansion. He also criticized the "forever wars" and praised Trump for keeping the US out of conflicts. While some were outraged by his remarks, Sacks claims that he received applause from the audience.

Trump picks JD Vance as his running mate rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">(00:41:16)

• JD Vance's Background and Qualifications: The panel discusses JD Vance's background, highlighting his experience in the tech industry as a venture capitalist, his service in the Marine Corps during the Iraq War, and his subsequent realization that the war was a mistake. They also mention his book, "Hillbilly Elegy," which details his upbringing in Appalachia and his journey to success.
• Vance's Appeal and Potential Impact: The panel believes Vance's unique combination of tech experience, military service, and understanding of the "Maga Heartland" makes him a strong candidate for Vice President. They see him as a bridge between the traditional Republican Party and the populist, America First movement. They also believe his youth and energy will appeal to younger voters.
• Vance's Policy Positions and Potential Concerns: The panel acknowledges that Vance's policy positions are not always aligned with Trump's, but they have become more aligned over time. They discuss his support for breaking up big tech and his pro-union stance, which they see as a sign of a new, populist Republican Party. However, they also express concerns about Vance's potential support for a nationalist agenda and its potential impact on global trade and inflation.

All-In Summit scholarship applications are LIVE! rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">(00:58:52)

• The All-In Summit scholarship applications are now open and can be accessed at summit.allinpodcast.co.
• A limited number of scholarship tickets are available, and applications are expected to be overbooked quickly.
• Some scholarships are sponsored by Athletic Brewing Company, who will be covering the cost for some scholarship recipients to attend the All-In Summit.

VC update: Exits creeping back, Sequoia's secondary offering for Stripe, Google in talks to acquire Wiz for $23B rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">(00:59:46)

• Sequoia Capital is buying back Stripe shares from its own limited partners (LPs). This is a unique move in the venture capital world, as it allows LPs to get liquidity for their investments in Stripe, a company that has remained private for a long time. Sequoia is using capital from its newer funds to buy back shares from its legacy funds, which were formed between 2009 and 2012. The valuation of Stripe for this secondary offering is $70 billion, which is a good sign for the company.
• Google is in talks to acquire Wiz, an Israeli-American cybersecurity startup, for $23 billion. This acquisition is a significant deal for the cybersecurity industry, as it shows the growing importance of cloud security. Wiz has experienced rapid growth, reaching $500 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) in just 4.5 years. Google is willing to pay a premium for Wiz, indicating the high value of its product and the importance of cloud security in the current market.
• These two deals have had a positive impact on the LP community. The news of these exits has boosted sentiment in the venture capital industry, which has been struggling with a lack of liquidity. The deals also signal a potential shift in the regulatory landscape, with the possibility of more mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the future.