Ishmael Reed takes aim at Silicon Valley billionaires in new play

In short: Author and playwright Ishmael Reed is criticizing the political influence and culture of Silicon Valley billionaires through a new play and recent public discussions.

What happened

Ishmael Reed, the novelist behind Mumbo Jumbo and a longtime provocateur, has been speaking publicly about the power of Silicon Valley’s richest figures. The New York Times reports that Reed has “a few words” for the region’s billionaires, including high-profile tech leaders.

Reed has also appeared in recent California Book Club programming. In April 2026, he was the featured author in a conversation hosted by writer John Freeman, with guest Justin Desmangles. These events have put Reed into a wider public debate about the tech industry and the people who run it.

The available details do not include direct quotes from Reed about specific individuals. Still, the context around his appearances and the Times report connects his comments to broader concerns that keep coming up around Silicon Valley. These include the political influence of tech billionaires, growing concentration of wealth, and questions about whether powerful tech leaders face enough moral and public accountability.

Why it matters

Even if you do not follow tech news, Silicon Valley leaders can shape everyday life, from what information people see online to which political candidates and policies get support. Critics argue that when a small group of very wealthy people has outsized influence, it can act like a few loud voices drowning out everyone else in a town hall meeting (same meeting, but the microphone is stuck on their side). Reed’s work adds a cultural voice to a debate that is usually led by politicians, business leaders, and researchers.

Source: NYTimes