Taves: Silicon Valley tech CEOs becoming Trump's hostages. Be afraid.
Briefly

Trump explicitly threatened Zuckerberg, promising to pursue election fraudsters with severe penalties if elected. He warned of imprisonment for those involved in perceived electoral misconduct, targeting Zuckerberg personally. In response, Meta adjusted its operations, deploying strategies to align with Trump's interests, including changing hate-speech policies, reducing diversity initiatives, and hiring Trump-aligned figures. These actions reflect a significant shift in Meta's stance and practices, illustrating Trump's influence on corporate governance and accountability regarding election-related issues. The alterations included settling lawsuits to avoid conflict and reconfiguring staff strategically.
Trump threatened Zuckerberg, indicating that if he were elected President, he would pursue 'Election Fraudsters' and prison would be their fate. 'We will pursue Election Fraudsters at levels never seen before.' This stark warning highlighted Trump's intention to target individuals he perceives as threats, including Zuckerberg, and made clear the serious ramifications for those who defy him. 'If he does anything illegal this time, he will spend the rest of his life in prison as will others who cheat in the 2024 Presidential Election.' This threat emphasized the lengths Trump was willing to go to punish his political adversaries.
Following Trump's threats, Meta made several changes directly associated with his administration's interests. Meta downscaled diversity initiatives, placed Trump ally Dana White on its board, weakened hate-speech policies, and moved its content moderation team to Texas. 'Since November, Meta has altered its policies and personnel in response to Trump's threats and demands, signaling a clear alignment with political priorities that favor Trump and conservatives. Trump also received $25 million in a settlement, further illustrating Meta's accommodation to avoid potential conflict.'
Read at www.mercurynews.com
[
|
]