• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechVirtual Reality

Palmer Luckey Returns to Public Eye as Report Unearths Further Trump Contributions

By
David Z. Morris
David Z. Morris
By
David Z. Morris
David Z. Morris
April 23, 2017, 12:45 PM ET
Inside The Oculus VR Inc. "Step Into the Rift" Event
Palmer Luckey, co-founder and creator of the Oculus Rift of Oculus VR. Inc., demonstrates the new Oculus Rift headset during the "Step Into The Rift" event in San Francisco, California, U.S., on Thursday, June 11, 2015. Facebook Inc.'s Oculus virtual-reality headsets will work with Microsoft Corp.'s Windows 10 and use the software maker's wireless Xbox game controller. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesDavid Paul Morris — Bloomberg via Getty Images

Following months of silence, Oculus co-founder and Rift co-creator Palmer Luckey made an understated return to public life last week, with a spate of tweets and a Reddit post declaring “im back” [sic]. Luckey’s re-emergence coincided with a new report from Mother Jones that he had donated $100,000 to the inaugural committee of President Donald Trump, through entities whose names referred to a cult-classic video game.

Luckey had not posted on social media or made any public statements since September, when it was revealed that he had anonymously funded a group, Nimble America, aimed at supporting then-candidate Trump’s election efforts.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

Luckey has been posting and tweeting volubly since Wednesday, letting VR fans know that he’s still working to create great things for them, and responding to critics and journalists who he still sees as having wronged him. He also pushed back against critical comments from Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, defending his decision to support the Trump campaign anonymously.

Luckey, who is still only 24 years old, seems to have retained his sardonic edge through his long silence. On Twitter, he tangled with reporters, some of whom he suggested had treated him unfairly.

>be WashPo
>accuse corp of being shell company
>Send email, wait 7 minute
>"Messages left with Luckey and his attorney were not returned"

— Palmer Luckey (@PalmerLuckey) April 19, 2017

Your stuff has been reasonably fair, Ian, but I am sure you can understand why I am loathe to reward misleading coverage with interviews.

— Palmer Luckey (@PalmerLuckey) April 20, 2017

He also revealed on Reddit that he was at work developing a new VR roleplaying game, which he jokingly said would be “exclusively for Nervegear.” “Nervegear” is a fictional full-immersion brain interface from the Japanese anime Sword Art Online.

Luckey’s contribution to the Trump inaugural was made just a few weeks before Luckey left his role at Oculus, which was purchased by Facebook for $2 billion in 2014. At least one report indicated that Luckey’s political affiliations, which had shown signs of alienating game developers, were partly to blame for his departure.

About the Author
By David Z. Morris
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.