"Business leaders, including those from almost every Big Tech company, stepped over themselves to prove fealty to Donald Trump's second administration. It's easy to see why: Their kowtowing was meant to secure regulatory favors, gain tax and tariff advantages and avoid Trump's ire. Ultimately, it was all in the service of appeasing their shareholders. Why else would Apple CEO Tim Cook, someone who typically cultivates a progressive image, hand deliver a gold plaque to the President of the United States?"
"Google dropped diversity recruitment goals in February, following Trump's executive orders dismantling DEI programs in the federal government. Google also changed its AI principles to allow AI in weapons and surveillance, a move that is in line with the relaxed artificial intelligence regulation the Trump administration would later adopt for its AI Action Plan. To the chagrin of geographers everywhere, the company also replaced the Gulf of Mexico in Google Maps with "Gulf of America," following Trump's executive order."
"Additionally, Alphabet agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle Donald Trump's lawsuit against YouTube, following the suspension of his YouTube accounts after the January 6th riot. Trump will receive $22 million, while another $2.5 million of the settlement will be paid out to additional plaintiffs who were part of the class action - which is to say, other rioters involved in the storming of the Capitol."
Tech companies prioritized shareholder value by aligning with the Trump administration through lobbying, donations, public gestures, and policy changes. Big Tech leaders sought regulatory favors, tax and tariff advantages, and protection from presidential criticism. Corporate actions included symbolic placating of the President, rollback of diversity recruitment goals, loosening of AI principles to permit weapons and surveillance applications, and altering product content to match executive orders. Major settlements and financial contributions redirected millions to political figures and affiliated plaintiffs. These moves illustrate corporate willingness to trade ethical commitments for short-term business and regulatory benefits.
Read at Engadget
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