From Banning Trump to Backing Him: How Zuckerberg and Tech Leaders Changed Sides

Following Donald Trump's re-election as the 47th President of the United States, tech industry leaders have responded with a mix of optimism, caution, and commitment to collaboration.

Despite a history of disagreements with Trump, executives from major tech firms appear ready to work with the new administration on issues like AI, innovation, and U.S. competitiveness.

Elon Musk's Support for Trump's Administration

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, has been a vocal supporter of Trump. Throughout Trump's campaign, Musk was a key ally, contributing nearly $75 million to a pro-Trump PAC and publicly backing him. Musk's support extends beyond the election; he has stated he's eager to assist Trump in boosting government efficiency.

His enthusiastic response reflects Musk's commitment to influencing national policy, especially in areas such as space exploration, clean energy, and AI.

Tim Cook: Apple's Vision for Innovation

Apple's CEO Tim Cook took to X to congratulate Trump and reaffirm Apple's commitment to maintaining the U.S. lead in "ingenuity, innovation, and creativity."

Satya Nadella on Growth and Opportunity

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella added his congratulations, focusing on the shared goal of "driving innovation forward" to create growth and opportunity in the U.S.

Mark Zuckerberg Balances Optimism with History

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg also congratulated Trump's win a "decisive victory" and expressed eagerness for what lies ahead. Zuckerberg's relationship with Trump has been rocky, especially after Facebook's suspension of Trump's account following the January 6 incident. But his statement indicates a willingness to look forward and work toward advancing U.S. tech potential.

Pat Gelsinger of Intel Aims to Strengthen U.S. Manufacturing

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger's message focused on the company's goal to enhance America's manufacturing leadership. As Intel undergoes significant restructuring to reclaim its semiconductor dominance, Gelsinger is ready to work with the administration to shape policies that could impact the future of U.S. chip production.

Sam Altman's Vision for Democratic AI

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed his hopes for Trump's success, particularly in AI development. Altman, who leads OpenAI's push for AI aligned with democratic values, emphasized the importance of the U.S. maintaining its lead in this field.

Sundar Pichai: A Golden Age of Innovation

Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai congratulated Trump, saying the U.S. is experiencing a "golden age of American innovation." Pichai, who has navigated years of scrutiny from Trump, particularly over Google's search algorithms, now emphasizes the importance of Google's mission to advance accessible technology for all.

Jeff Bezos Commends Trump's Political Comeback

Amazon's founder Jeff Bezos acknowledged Trump's "extraordinary political comeback" in a post on X, which marked a surprising shift given their previously contentious relationship. Bezos, who once suggested Trump be "sent to space," now struck a diplomatic tone, wishing the president success in "leading and uniting" America.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy also congratulated Trump, indicating hopes for productive discussions on matters relevant to Amazon's workforce, customers, and broader communities.

Cristiano Amon's Focus on National Competitiveness

Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon congratulated both Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance, expressing readiness to collaborate on policies that bolster America's resilience, competition, and innovation.

Qualcomm's focus on these values aligns with the administration's goals for the tech sector, positioning the company as a potential contributor to shaping U.S. tech policy.

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Story first published: Thursday, November 7, 2024, 11:23 [IST]