Local business leaders raise concerns about the climate, society and China following Trump's election victory

Scott Kirsner: Does this feel like a throwback to 2016 for everyone? Different because Trump is now a much better known figure?

Ellen RubinTech Entrepreneur: (In) 2016 it was a big shock. I was on a plane to San Francisco and you could hear cursing throughout the plane as the results came in. Last night there was more of a feeling of fear leading up to it.

Jana EggersTech Entrepreneur: There used to be a feeling that he would have people around him who would support democracy. That they would run the government of the country. He fired these people. And said he would only hire loyalists. This is different. We know more and so does he.

Leah EllisClimate Tech Entrepreneur: I have dual citizenship and grew up in Canada…Americans are a good people and I can't get over the fact that they allow themselves to be represented by someone so deceitful and rude. I have a hard time understanding the policies and principles that make Trump attractive.

Jules PieriTech Entrepreneur: Last time I gave his voters more confidence because his exaggeration was hard to believe and those voters just wanted change. Now we know better. Trump means exactly what he says. His voters have voted for hate and chaos and whatever substantive issues they prefer. Last time I was able to deny it. Now it is undeniable.

Ellis: I don't agree with that. I refuse to believe that millions of Americans have chosen hate and chaos. There must be something else (that I don't understand) that makes him attractive.

Paul DeningerVenture Capitalist and Board Member: I want to start by saying that I voted for Hillary (Clinton), Joe (Biden), and Kamala (Harris). Anyone but Trump… It's time to think. If this is so shocking to you/us, then what does that say about us? This cannot be disguised with “well, he didn’t win the popular vote.” He did it.

Kirsner: Do you see a silver lining in Trump's victory? Bitcoin just hit an all-time high and stock futures, the dollar and bond yields are all up this morning.

Deninger: If (Republicans) retain control of the House, we won't see true gridlock for the first time in a long time. Personally, I don't think this is good news, and not just because of those responsible. This is rarely a good thing.

Başak ÖzerTech Entrepreneur: Democracies are fragile. It's different when a populist is elected for the second time. Also leads to the erosion of social values. We have seen the slippery slope in other countries, in Europe and elsewhere. Unfortunately, I don't see any silver linings.

Deninger: Scott, if you take back the words “silver linings” you might get better answers :-). How about things that might be okay…

Trump says he wants to revitalize the industrial base. If that happens, it would be an absolute good thing.

He is very anti-China: tariffs, withdrawing MFN status, encouraging a shift in supply chains. In all the committees I am a member of, we are already shifting supply chains, but it is also positive to take tough economic action against China. American consumers may now learn to hate tariffs on the things they buy cheaply. We'll see.

Its support of establishing low-Earth orbit could spur innovation, as the space program here on “(Route) 128” did in the good old days.

And say what we will about (Trump adviser Elon) Musk's policies and personality – he's an innovator.

Ian BowlesEnergy investor and former Massachusetts Energy Secretary: I can only add that the area I'm focused on, climate and climate technology, is an area where the states play a more dominant role than the federal government… (a focus on reducing greenhouse gases ). become mainstream and won't change anytime soon.

Paul EnglishTech entrepreneur and philanthropist: I don't believe people who say they voted for Trump because of the economy. His record is terrible. I don't like to be cynical, but I think most voted for him because they (sometimes secretly) share one or more of his negative traits… But I'll put my boots on and move forward with a positive attitude. For me that means I will be in New England for the next four years. We live in an amazing array of states. Let’s focus on that identity and keep working to improve.

Deninger: …Can we be part of the Rally for New England message by listening to our rural New Englanders who voted for each other?

Kirsner: To the climate people, Trump really doesn't seem interested in supporting new technologies. How does this impact all the climate startups trying to enter the market?

Deninger: True, but great progress was made in the four years he was out of office. This can be difficult to resolve. And with Musk as his new best friend, who has provided big money when he needed it most, I think this position has the potential to make at least some change.

Bowles: State-regulated utilities are more important in climate technology than the federal government, which is only occasionally relevant.

Kirsner: Do you and Paul think you don't expect Trump II to burst a bubble in the climate technology sector?

Bowles: I don't want to say there are no concerns. Certain segments, such as offshore wind, require a federal permitting partner and may not have one. However, the vast majority of climate technology startups are more influenced by state-regulated utilities than by the federal government.

Deninger: Agree with Ian. He could also try to repeal part of the Inflation Reduction Act, but the horse is mostly out of the stable. …I just checked my individual stock portfolio and everything is fine except anything related to electrification.

Ellis: I worry that ignoring climate change will lead to worsening droughts, famines, wars, etc. Unfortunately, we are not acting quickly enough to mitigate the worst impacts. I believe it is the government's job to set policies that will keep our society strong in the long term, while leaving short-term optimization to the invisible hand of capitalism. …Trump's administration will slow things down, but it was already moving too slowly. The silver lining is that certain states are investing in innovation and developing amazing American-made technologies that will one day spread around the world. The private sector will need to step in to increase the volume (and reduce the cost) of these new technologies.

Kirsner: On the life sciences…How do you think a second term for Trump and possibly Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is involved in health regulators and the Food & Drug Administration, will affect the life sciences business here and elsewhere? Trump has said he wants to lower drug prices, but I think the campaign has been very light on that.

Michael GilmanBiotech Entrepreneur: As a parent and grandparent rather than as a life sciences executive, I'm significantly more concerned about public health issues under a second Trump administration. The first was not a first-class precedent.

Daphne ZoharBiotech entrepreneur: It is not yet clear what role RFK would play in the new government. Most likely an advisory role rather than a cabinet position. I hope and believe that the new government will think about how to support small biotech companies that create jobs and stimulate the economy…

Kirsner: Trump appears hostile to big tech/social platforms, but he could also choose a Federal Trade Commission chief who is more lax about allowing big mergers. What would you expect there?

Pieri: The Democrats have been asleep on Big Tech for 20 years, so I would actually give Trump room to do a better job on that front.

Deninger: I am NOT a fan of social media. It's really destructive and has helped drive division like Trump. That would be a better place to crack down, but Truth Social gives Trump a billion reasons to do nothing.

Pieri: …I'm a little worried that this conversation about “moving on” and finding the bright spots where Trump might be good for business might be seen as a parallel to the argument that slavery was good for business. From a purely economic perspective, this profitable institution was the foundation of the United States. But the price was still very high for all of us today. A Trump administration will have to ignore so many current and future human costs and damage to the planet to allow him to continue his policies that are already proven to benefit the few over the many.

Gilman: Agree Jules. I try to apply rational thinking to my supposed area of ​​expertise. But honestly, the life sciences industry will be fine. The rest of our society and our democracy and how we treat each other – I'm afraid that's irrevocably damaged. At the moment I'm more in my parents/grandparents' space than in my business space.

Steve KauferTech Entrepreneur: I have been quiet and wallowing in my deep disappointment in my fellow Americans. That being said, I try to focus my thoughts on what is temporary for four years (chaos, tariffs, perhaps related to a recession or inflation); rhetoric and actions against various minorities and immigrants; deregulation (good and bad); and all the rest of the things I hate about him…compared to long term consequences. In my humble opinion, the real and lasting damage will likely be generational (debt and climate change) and foreign policy (cutting aid to Ukraine, Putin encourages). These are very difficult to undo.

And the scary wild card is: If China invades Taiwan, would Trump use nuclear weapons?

Kirsner: So just to try to bring some closure here… Aside from considering the prospect of nuclear war, how do you plan to process the next few months and move forward?

Eggers: Focus on our region(s). We have great resources and support there. Local and state governments can and do exert influence. …(And) ensure you check, support and protect marginalized/under attack communities.

Gilman: In my opinion, you should focus on the things you can control. Keep your organizations stable and on track. The reason we start companies and do what we do professionally is because we fundamentally believe that (what) we do is important and will make a difference in people's lives. So keep it up.

Scott Kirsner can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @ScottKirsner.