Big Tech Outmaneuvers MAGA Populists

One year into Donald Trump’s presidency, the tech industry has managed to navigate the complexities of Washington politics and emerge relatively unscathed, while many of its critics in the populist movement remain mired in chaos. Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos, and Sundar Pichai, among others, attended the inauguration ceremony as guests of honor, their involvement a stark contrast to Steve Bannon’s attempts to rally support from Big Tech CEOs during Trump’s 2016 campaign. The major players’ visits to Mar-a-Lago and their appearances at the inauguration suggest that they have successfully adapted to Trump’s presidency, finding ways to work with or around him rather than against him. As the first quarter of 2025 dawns, it remains to be seen whether Big Tech’s strategic maneuvering will continue to pay off, but one thing is clear: the industry has proven itself to be a more formidable force in Washington politics than its detractors.