Big Techs Trump Conundrum: How Silicon Valley is Trying to Win Over the President

The world of Big Tech is abuzz with the news of Silicon Valley's attempts to win over President Trump. Companies like Apple, Meta, Google, and Amazon are making significant changes to their business practices, from investing in American factories to altering their diversity and inclusion initiatives. But what's driving this sudden shift, and will it be enough to appease the President?

At the heart of this issue is the desire to avoid regulatory backlash. As Edward Mills, managing director and Washington policy analyst at Raymond James, notes, "You're either at the table or on the menu" in Washington D.C. Big Tech companies are keenly aware of the risks of being on the wrong side of the President, having faced significant resistance during his first administration. By making overtures to the Trump administration, these companies hope to avoid being targeted by aggressive antitrust actions and other regulatory measures.

Apple's approach to dealing with the Trump administration has been particularly noteworthy. Under the leadership of CEO Tim Cook, the company has taken a diplomatic approach, inviting the President to visit its facilities and highlighting its reliance on American suppliers. This strategy has paid off, with Apple winning exceptions to tariffs on goods from China. The company has continued to follow this playbook, announcing plans to invest billions in the US on everything from Apple TV+ production to growing its US Advanced Manufacturing Fund.

Google and Meta have also made significant changes to their business practices in an effort to appease the President. Google has renamed the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America in Google Maps, cut its diversity and inclusion efforts, and removed a clause in its AI policy that would have prevented the company from using the technology for weapons. Meta, meanwhile, has installed Trump ally Dana White as a board member, curtailed its diversity and inclusion programs, and paid $25 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the President after his account was banned from the platform. These changes are seen as an attempt to improve the companies' standing with the President and avoid regulatory backlash.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has also exerted his influence over the Washington Post's editorial board, preventing it from endorsing Trump's rival, former Vice President Kamala Harris, in the run-up to the 2024 election. Bezos's space company, Blue Origin, is also hoping to grab government contracts for space launches, and a positive relationship with the President could go a long way in helping that effort. As the tech giants continue to navigate the complex landscape of the Trump administration, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the consequences of failure could be severe. Will Big Tech's efforts to appease the President pay off, or will they ultimately prove to be a costly mistake? Only time will tell.