Sergey Brin opens up about harrowing Soviet past — says California lost its way
Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, reflects on his escape from the Soviet Union and his concerns about California's proposed billionaire tax. He has invested significantly in campaigns against the tax, citing his experiences with socialism as a motivating factor. Brin's political activism has intensified as he warns that the tax could harm California's economy and innovation.
- ▪Brin fled the Soviet Union with his family in 1979, escaping an oppressive society.
- ▪He has spent at least $57 million opposing California's proposed billionaire tax.
- ▪Brin has shifted his political support, now backing a Trump-endorsed candidate for governor.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Tech Sergey Brin opens up about harrowing Soviet past — says California lost its way By Titus Wu Published April 28, 2026, 6:29 p.m. ET A resurfaced interview of Google co-founder Sergey Brin detailed his dramatic journey from the Soviet Union to Silicon Valley — a background that has led him to oppose California’s proposed billionaire tax. Brin broke his silence in a New York Times report Monday on why he’s pouring money into campaigns to stop the tax proposal, which will be up in front of voters this November. “I fled socialism with my family in 1979 and know the devastating, oppressive society it created in the Soviet Union,” the tech figure worth $260 billion said. “I don’t want California to end up in the same place.” 3 Sergey Brin at Stanford in December.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at California Post.
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