Recent reports indicate that Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia has joined Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative under the Trump administration aimed at reducing federal spending and restructuring government agencies. This has generated media attention and sparked online discussions within the short-term rental community.
Co-Founder’s New Role Creates Waves
Gebbia, who stepped down from his operational role at Airbnb in 2022 but remains on the board with significant shares in the company, has recently made headlines not just for his involvement with DOGE but also for his political shift. According to reports, Gebbia voted Republican in the 2024 election and has expressed support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement.
The news has triggered varied reactions across Airbnb’s ecosystem of hosts and guests.
Mixed Community Response
The hashtag #BoycottAirbnb has gained traction across social media platforms, with some users publicly deactivating their accounts in protest. On Airbnb’s community message boards, discussions about leaving the platform have reportedly dominated conversations, with some hosts immediately removing their listings upon hearing the news.
“Over half of Airbnb community message board posts in a 24-hour period were about leaving the platform,” according to sources cited in industry reports.
Airbnb’s Response
Airbnb moved quickly to distance itself from the controversy, emphasizing that Gebbia has not been involved in the company’s daily operations since stepping down in 2022.
In an official statement, the company noted:
“Joe serves on Airbnb’s Board of Directors, but he has not participated in daily operations since stepping down in 2022. Airbnb has always been about more than the viewpoint of any one person. Our community is made up of millions of hosts and hundreds of millions of guests from all walks of life.”
Political Positioning in Transition
This situation highlights an interesting shift for Airbnb, which positioned itself as a progressive company during Trump’s first term. The platform clashed with Trump’s policies, offering free stays to refugees and championing community, diversity, and inclusion.
As noted in Rental Scale-Up this January, there was speculation about how Airbnb would position itself during Trump’s second term. The article raised important questions about whether Airbnb would “abandon its values of inclusivity and diversity” in response to shifting political dynamics.
Now, with Gebbia’s reported involvement with DOGE, these questions take on new relevance.
Ironically, Gebbia’s connection to the administration could shield Airbnb from political pressure while simultaneously alienating some of its more progressive hosts and guests. This creates a complex situation where the company must balance its established brand identity with evolving political realities.
Community Fund Announcement Timing
In what some might view as strategic timing, Airbnb recently announced significant donations through its Community Fund. On February 25, 2025, the company revealed it had donated $8.5 million to more than 160 nonprofit organizations across over 30 countries.
This initiative is part of a larger $100 million commitment to support local communities by 2030.
The fund focuses on:
>Economic empowerment
>Environmental sustainability
>Ending abuse and exploitation
This could contrast sharply with DOGE’s reported initiatives, which include proposals to eliminate agencies like USAID.
Some industry observers believe the timing of Airbnb’s Community Fund announcement could be an attempt to reaffirm its commitment to social values, even as the political landscape shifts around it.
What This Means for Hosts and Property Managers
For hosts and property managers, Airbnb’s navigation of these political waters has practical implications. As noted in the January Rental Scale-Up analysis, hosts may need to adapt to evolving consumer preferences, particularly among Gen Z travelers, who emphasize value-for-money features like budget-friendly pricing and convenience.
While the controversy surrounding Gebbia’s DOGE involvement continues to generate online discussions, the real impact on bookings remains unclear.
Some industry observers suggest that, regardless of political dynamics, hosts should focus on what matters most to guests:
✔ Quality accommodations
✔Competitive pricing
✔Responsive service
Navigating Complex Waters
For Airbnb, 2025 presents a complex challenge in navigating both its public image and the political landscape. As identified in the January Rental Scale-Up article, the company faces a crossroads:
• Stay true to its values, even if it risks alienating cost-conscious travelers
• Balance ideals and practicality, highlighting affordable stays while still supporting sustainability and inclusion
• Pivot to profit, focusing primarily on business growth and putting social causes on the back burner
Strong values appeal to younger generations, but abandoning them signals a lack of authenticity. At the same time, as a publicly traded company, Airbnb faces pressure to prioritize profits over activism.
Whether this controversy will have lasting impacts on Airbnb’s business remains to be seen. For now, the company continues to emphasize its community-focused mission while distancing itself from the political affiliations of one of its founders.
As one industry observer put it:
“At the end of the day, the debate around Gebbia’s political choices and Airbnb’s positioning may make headlines, but it’s unlikely to fundamentally change how most hosts run their businesses.”
Time will tell whether this assessment proves accurate as the situation continues to evolve.
