"Left unreported: According to a financial disclosure, Michael, a former Silicon Valley executive, holds millions in stock in an Anthropic competitor, Perplexity AI, as well as additional investments in other AI, cryptocurrency, and robotics companies with business before the Pentagon.

By designating Anthropic a “supply chain risk,” the Pentagon could damage its commercial business and government contracting prospects, benefitting rivals like Perplexity AI.

Michael pledged in his disclosure to not participate in any matters that have “a direct and predictable effect on my financial interests.”

A one-time Uber senior vice president, Michael also recently held investments in the cryptocurrency exchange Binance, whose owner had his 2024 money-laundering conviction pardoned by President Donald Trump last October.

Michael currently holds stock in the prediction market platform Kalshi, which he received as compensation for his prior consulting work there. Both companies have grown massively over the past year after receiving regulatory reprieves from the Trump administration.

Prediction platforms like Kalshi collect revenue for hosting betting markets on US military actions like the Iran War and have been plagued by concerns of both White House conflicts of interest and potential insider trading.

In total, Michael’s disclosure form lists an extensive array of stock holdings and other assets totaling between $121 million and $277 million, though he’s been forced to divest from some of those holdings since entering the government last May.

His remaining financial positions could still pose conflicts of interest for his high-powered role at the Pentagon, despite receiving little media coverage during his confirmation process last year."

https://jacobin.com/2026/03/pentagon-anthropic-ai-surveillance-michael

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