Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia has accepted a position with the Department of Government Efficiency, sparking backlash from Airbnb hosts.
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Many Airbnb hosts are leaving the platform in protest of Gebbia’s decision to join the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative by President Trump aimed at cutting government spending through budget reductions, agency eliminations, and employee layoffs without Congressional oversight.
DOGE’s manager, Elon Musk, invited Gebbia to join the initiative, leading to a growing number of hosts planning to remove their listings in response. Virginia host Krista O’Donnell withdrew her home from Airbnb, citing the platform’s past support for refugees and questioning the alignment with an administration that she believes disregards refugee rights.
Despite data analysts debunking reports of a housing exodus in Washington, D.C., hosts like O’Donnell are feeling the effects of DOGE’s layoffs in various government agencies. In North Carolina, host Kathleen Zeren has blocked bookings on her listing, expressing concerns about supporting a platform linked to actions that undermine democracy.
Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky has not commented on Gebbia’s move, but a company spokesperson emphasized that Gebbia’s decision does not represent the company’s values, highlighting the diverse community of hosts and guests on the platform.
Email Marian McPherson