CEOs/Founders of multi-billion dollar companies are more than private citizens. They are visionaries and metaphors for their vision. People associate the entire

CEOs/Founders of multi-billion dollar companies are more than private citizens. They are visionaries and metaphors for their vision. People associate the entire company with the idea of the person. Not always, but certainly in many cases. For the longest time, and especially before the Facebook acquisition in the minds of most people, Oculus == Palmer, and part of the incredible appeal of Oculus was that it wasn't the product of a multinational conglomerate but felt like it came out of some dude's backyard. When people support a kickstarter/home-grown project they are supporting more than the idea - they are supporting the person behind the idea as well. So you better believe that the political views of such people have an impact on the perception and success of their companies.