analysis
X- and Tesla billionaire Elon Musk is firmly on the side of the future US president. But now other tech bosses Donald Trump and his politics are also following. Why is that?
So far, the bosses of big tech corporations in the USA have looked like super -rich kings with a digital empire. Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg, for example. Billion people use their networks. Especially in the United States, he can largely set up the rules for its platforms.
Before Trump's first term, he had defended himself against his attacks, in return he even threatened him with prison. It is different before the second term. Now Zuckerberg seems to bend and follow Trump's line.
Words that Trump and Musk should like
“I want to talk about something important. On the freedom of speech on Facebook and Instagram,” said Zuckerberg last week in his much discussed video. For his announcements, he chooses words that Trump and his close consultant should like.
For example, he speaks of “traditional media” that would censor content. Which does not correspond to the facts. Content that violates rules is deleted on platforms. This is not a censorship but moderation. This should be clearly loosened at Meta. Zuckerberg wants to restore free speech in his networks, according to the reason.
“More people will be damaged”
In the future, much more may be said on Instagram or Facebook. For example, it is no longer a rule violation to describe women as household items.
Tech journalist Casey Newton says in the Podcast Hardfork: “I am gay. You can now call myself a mentally ill.” This means that violence on Facebook is now being fueled again. “One consequence is that more people will be damaged.”
Meta also abolish facts check teams in the USA. And also programs that have promoted women, blacks or Latinos in the company.
What is the reason?
Why does Zuckerberg do that – a few days before Trump's inauguration? In the media, two theories are primarily discussed: he says what the future government wants to hear – from opportunism. The business, the money, you don't want to put on with the government.
The other theory is that it has really developed into a kind of “Maga-Mark”. The supposed buckling in front of Trump is not a bend. Zuckerberg mean what he says – his own platforms have become “Woke”.
Kevin Roose, tech columnist at the New York Times, says: “I have no evidence of the theory – but friends who know him told me that he has developed into a conservative in recent years.”
Amazon boss as a Trump donor
Zuckerberg should also be part of Trump's inauguration – and he is not the only tech billionaire who wants to be close to the new president.
Amazon founder and board member Jeff Bezos will be in Washington next week. Like Zuckerberg, he donated a million dollars to Trump's “Inauguration Fund”. From this, galas and receptions around the inauguration are financed.
Bezos has already visited Trump in his club in Mar-A-Lago in Florida. And Amazon also deleted references to diversity in the staff from the company website.
The Google CEO also donates
Google CEO Sundar Pichai has also joined the general trend. Google donated a million to Trump for the inauguration. Many other companies do this – what reasons behind it is not clear.
But: Washington has been growing from the size and makes the tech group for years. Against Google, authorities have been investigating for a long time, there is a risk of breakdown by the group.
And also Microsoft
Microsoft also donated. What is particularly important for Microsoft, but also others: the regulation of artificial intelligence. Microsoft works intensively with the Chatgptmakers of Openaai and has a great interest in the fact that AI laws do not restrict the business too much.
Scott Galloway is a professor at the University of New York and hosts of well -known business podcasts. In an interview with MSNBC, he says: “The elected president threatens to pursue and regulate them who do not donate to him. We become a little more similar every day.”
