Former President Donald Trump has asserted that several of the wealthiest and most influential individuals globally have privately praised him. While prominent leaders of major technology firms have not openly endorsed Trump, with one notable exception, he claims that they have privately expressed admiration for him, suggested they would benefit from his presidency, or stated they would not vote for his opponent.
Trump alleges that Google CEO Sundar Pichai commended his time as a McDonald’s employee, calling it a significant event on Google. Tim Cook reportedly reached out to Trump to express dissatisfaction about European Union fines imposed on Apple. According to Trump, Mark Zuckerberg contacted him multiple times to apologize and stated there was “no way” he could support a Democrat after an alleged assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania.
Should these claims be accurate, they would represent a significant shift for leaders of companies previously criticized by Trump for allegedly manipulating election votes, rigging search results against him, and generally being anti-Trump. These allegations are not one-sided; for example, Amazon has accused Trump of exerting “improper pressure” to influence the Pentagon’s decision on a substantial defense contract.
Publicly, it remains uncertain if these tech leaders are genuinely aligning with Trump or if the former president has embellished more conventional interactions. Despite their wealth, executives like Zuckerberg, Pichai, and Cook, along with other tech leaders, might find themselves uncertain about the upcoming presidential election outcome. Polls suggest a close race, and if Trump—a potential contender—might use his influence over federal contracts to retaliate or reward, it could prompt strategies to remain on his favorable side.
Evidence of such maneuvering includes Zuckerberg’s praise of Trump’s reaction to being shot at as “badass.” Reports also indicate Jeff Bezos stopped The Washington Post’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, coinciding with a meeting between executives from Bezos’ Blue Origin and Trump.
The individuals involved have denied accusations of bias or secretive dealings. Blue Origin’s CEO, Dave Limp, dismissed suggestions of impropriety in a statement, while Bezos defended The Post’s non-endorsement decision, asserting it was made without consultation from any campaign. Meta spokesperson Dani Lever reiterated that Mark Zuckerberg is not endorsing anyone in the race.
In the past, neither Bezos nor Zuckerberg endorsed presidential candidates in 2020, though The Post supported Trump’s opponents in both 2020 and 2016.
The motivations of these tech leaders remain unclear. Whether out of concern for potential retaliation from Trump, the hope for government contracts, or apprehension over further regulation under Harris, it is uncertain if they would find safety with Trump in power.
Project 2025’s “Mandate for Leadership,” created by Trump allies, proposes penalties for tech adversaries and recommends adopting stricter regulatory environments modeled after Europe. Trump has alluded to actions against Google, and his running mate, JD Vance, has openly advocated for dismantling the company. Meanwhile, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), advising the Trump campaign, has reportedly prepared close to 300 executive orders, ready to implement if Trump assumes office, including initiatives that could benefit government-contracted tech companies.
In contrast to Elon Musk, who has openly supported Trump and contributed significantly to his reelection campaign, Bezos and other tech leaders have not entirely embraced the MAGA agenda. Nevertheless, their calculated silence hints at preparedness for another potential Trump presidency and the possible advantages or challenges that could ensue.