Jacob Helberg is an American 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.
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 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.
