Why You Should Boycott Airbnb

The world is witnessing a dangerous shift—billionaires and tech moguls consolidating power, pushing their wealth into efforts that erode democracy and dismantle social protections. One of the latest examples? Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb, aligning himself with Elon Musk in his mission to weaken the U.S. federal government and empower far-right forces. But let’s not pretend this is a new story. The same lawlessness that made Gebbia a billionaire, the same greed that allowed Airbnb to exploit cities and tenants worldwide, is now fueling political chaos.

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A Legacy of Lawbreaking and Displacement

Airbnb’s rise was built on breaking the law. Founded in San Francisco, the platform allowed property owners to turn homes into illegal short-term rentals, worsening the city’s already dire housing crisis. At the time, every Airbnb listing in San Francisco was illegal. Yet, under Mayor Ed Lee’s administration, enforcement was practically nonexistent.

Tech companies operated under the philosophy of “move fast and break things,” knowing that the law would always lag behind their innovations. Airbnb exploited this loophole to the extreme, making billions while gutting local housing markets. The result? Entire neighborhoods transformed into de facto hotels, long-term tenants evicted so landlords could profit from short-term visitors.

London Breed, Scott Wiener, and David Chiu—politicians who had the power to stop Airbnb—chose to enable it instead. They passed legislation that retroactively legalized what should have been shut down from the start. David Chiu even carried the bill that officially allowed the conversion of apartments into tourist accommodations. When community leaders like David Campos fought back, Big Tech money ensured their political defeat.

The Global Impact: Cities Under Siege

San Francisco was just the beginning. Airbnb’s business model spread like wildfire, creating housing crises in cities worldwide.

Barcelona: The city has been at war with short-term rentals for years. Entire blocks have been overtaken by Airbnb apartments, pushing out locals and turning once-vibrant communities into tourist zones. The government has had to crack down with heavy fines and bans to restore balance.
Lisbon: Portugal’s capital saw an explosion of Airbnbs that drove up rents, forcing longtime residents to leave. The government is now offering landlords incentives to return properties to long-term tenants, trying to reverse the damage.
New York City: After years of fighting illegal Airbnb listings, NYC finally passed strict regulations to stop the platform from turning homes into hotels. Despite this, landlords have continued to exploit loopholes, and housing remains unaffordable for many residents.
Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam: All of these cities have imposed restrictions on Airbnb rentals, recognizing that short-term stays are destroying local communities and exacerbating housing shortages.

The pattern is clear: Airbnb’s model benefits property owners, investors, and the company itself, while ordinary people suffer from skyrocketing rents, forced evictions, and the loss of community identity.

From Housing Destruction to Political Destruction

Now, the billions generated from this exploitation are being funneled into political movements that threaten democracy itself. Joe Gebbia, one of the key figures behind Airbnb’s rise, is aligning with Elon Musk in efforts to weaken the U.S. government. Musk has made it clear that he supports a return of Trump or any other far-right leader willing to serve his billionaire interests.

This isn’t just about one election—it’s about a systematic effort to undermine democracy and concentrate power in the hands of a few ultra-rich individuals. And they’re using the wealth they extracted from us—by making housing unaffordable, by dodging taxes, by ignoring local laws—to fund their war on democracy.

Boycott Airbnb—Because This is Bigger Than Just One Company

Some people argue that Airbnb isn’t all bad—that it allows homeowners to earn extra income. But at what cost? The overwhelming evidence shows that short-term rentals hurt renters, displace locals, and drive up housing costs worldwide. And now, the people who got rich from this exploitative system are using their money to push an extreme political agenda.

Boycotting Airbnb is about more than housing—it’s about refusing to support a system that prioritizes billionaire greed over everyday people. It’s one of thousands of ways to push back against those who think they can buy power, rewrite laws, and reshape the world to serve their own interests.

We have a choice: continue feeding the beast that’s destroying our communities and our democracy, or take a stand.