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Trump's bold move: air bn b co founder to revamp government websites

Trump | Appoints Airbnb Co-Founder Joe Gebbia | Concern Over Fees

By

Lucas Meyer

Aug 25, 2025, 07:32 PM

Edited By

Sarah O'Neil

Updated

Aug 27, 2025, 04:45 PM

2 minutes needed to read

Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb, presenting plans for revamping government websites, with a focus on improving user experience.
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President Donald Trump is shaking things up by appointing Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia to revamp government websites. This move fuels concern over potential hidden fees and privacy issues as citizens brace for an era of government online services more akin to commercial sites than public resources.

Potential Backlash from Citizens

The sentiments among people remain mixed, with ongoing skepticism over this initiative. As one commenter noted, "Wow, everyone is so original with the same joke," while another expressed willingness to cancel government services just like DoorDash, pondering, "I can do the same with Airbnb."

Key Issues at Stake

Feedback highlights three major themes:

  • Privacy Concerns: Many fear the use of extensive tracking measures. One person quipped about government sites implementing "1000 tracking cookies plus ads."

  • Hidden Fees: Concerns continue about additional costs. One individual remarked, "Wait until you find your Social Security payment has all sorts of hidden fees taken out."

  • Aesthetic Changes: There's humor over expected lavish redesigns. For instance, one comment joked, "Gold decor everywhere!" reflecting fears of misplaced priorities.

Voices from the People

The implications of this appointment resonate deeply within the community. One comment sums it up well:

"Money is no objectβ€”of course, the sites should be remade to honor our president."

Others, however, raise a red flag, questioning, "What could go wrong?" as this development unfolds.

Key Takeaways

  • πŸ’³ Ongoing concern over potential hidden fees on upgraded government sites.

  • πŸ”Ž Privacy issues raised regarding tracking measures and their implications.

  • 🎨 Humorous remarks hint at expectations of unnecessary extravagance in design choices.

As this story develops, citizens look for better functionality but are wary of how these upgrades will impact wallets and data privacy.

What's Next?

With Gebbia on board, the future remains uncertain. Will this truly lead to a modernized government digital experience, or just a flashy facade masking increased costs? The potential for citizens to confront hidden fees and privacy issues appears likely, prompting transparency that's currently absent.

The Road Ahead for Government Services

There’s a looming chance for increased scrutiny on government websites. As Gebbia assumes his role, public outcry could force a review of these rollouts within a year. People are interested not only in modernization but in whether these changes will improve accessibility or further alienate them as customers, instead of constituents.

Reflection on History

One unexpected parallel can be drawn to the dot-com bubble in the early 2000s. Many tech companies then prioritized flashy designs over user experience, and there’s a risk that government services could follow a similar path. The public expects transparency; losing trust can lead to lasting consequences far greater than the initial backlash itself.