Jacob Helberg
American government appointee and writer (born 1989)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jacob Helberg (born November 9, 1989)[3] is an American and French writer and technology advisor.[4][5] He is currently serving as the under secretary of state for economic affairs in the second Trump administration.
Jacob Helberg | |
|---|---|
Helberg in 2025 | |
| 22nd Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs | |
| Assumed office October 16, 2025[1] | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Jose W. Fernandez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 9, 1989 Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France[2] |
| Spouse | |
| Education | George Washington University (BA) New York University (MS) |
| Occupation | Technology advisor, writer |
Helberg served as a commissioner for the U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission, and senior advisor to Alex Karp, CEO of Palantir Technologies.[6][7][8] Helberg has commented extensively on U.S.–China relations, and the national security implications of Chinese-developed web apps like TikTok.[9][10][11]
Personal life
Helberg grew up in a Jewish family in France.[12] He married American investor Keith Rabois in a 2018 ceremony officiated by businessman Sam Altman.[13]
Helberg graduated from George Washington University with a BA and earned his MA from NYU's Cybersecurity Risk and Strategy program in 2020.[14]
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.[15][16][17][18] 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.[7][5]
Helberg was one of the top donors to Donald Trump's 2024 reelection campaign, donating $2 million in 2024.[19][20][21] Previously, Helberg primarily donated to Democratic candidates, including the Pete Buttigieg 2020 presidential campaign.[22][23] He attributes his shift to the COVID-19 pandemic, technological concerns about China, and anti-Israel views among Democrats.[24][25][26]
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.[27]
Publications
In 2021, Simon & Schuster published a book by Helberg, The Wires of War: Technology and the Global Struggle for Power.[28] According to The Information, the book argues that "foreign adversaries are using technology to wage war against the U.S."[29]