As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term, major tech executives are actively seeking meetings and influence with the incoming administration, with artificial intelligence regulation emerging as a critical concern. Despite Trump’s contentious history with Big Tech—including threats against Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and accusations of search manipulation against Google—industry leaders are now courting the president-elect and his inner circle, particularly tech luminary Elon Musk, who has become a key Trump confidant.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who remained neutral during the 2024 election, dined with Trump at Mar-a-Lago before Thanksgiving. Meta President of Global Affairs Nick Clegg revealed that Zuckerberg wants to play “an active role” in discussions with the Trump administration about US tech leadership, specifically highlighting artificial intelligence as a “pivotal” field. Clegg also acknowledged that Meta “overdid it” on pandemic content moderation, addressing criticism from both political sides.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai called Trump to congratulate him on his victory, with Musk reportedly joining the call. This outreach comes despite Trump’s previous accusations that Google manipulated search results against him—claims the company has denied. When discussing Google’s antitrust challenges, Trump acknowledged the company “has a lot of power” but expressed reluctance about breaking it up, stating he doesn’t want China to control such companies.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman finds himself in a particularly delicate position given his increasingly turbulent relationship with Musk. According to The Wall Street Journal, Altman has sought indirect counsel from Trump’s inner circle, including Jared and Josh Kushner, though some intermediaries have been reluctant to pass on his messages due to tensions with Musk. Altman met with transition team co-chair Howard Lutnick in Palm Beach, discussing OpenAI’s plans to invest in US data centers and jobs. As the incoming Commerce Secretary, Lutnick would oversee the department responsible for AI regulation.
The stakes are extraordinarily high for the tech industry. Trump’s presidency could fundamentally reshape budding AI regulation, ongoing antitrust actions targeting Apple, Google, Meta, and Amazon, and the broader competitive landscape. Trump-Vance transition spokesperson Brian Hughes stated that “President Trump is surrounding himself with industry leaders like Elon Musk as he works to restore innovation, reduce regulation, and celebrate free speech in his second term.”
Key Quotes
It’s an important time for the future of American Innovation
A Meta spokesperson said this when confirming Mark Zuckerberg’s meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, signaling the company’s recognition that the incoming administration will significantly impact the tech industry’s trajectory, particularly in AI development.
President Trump is surrounding himself with industry leaders like Elon Musk as he works to restore innovation, reduce regulation, and celebrate free speech in his second term
Trump-Vance transition spokesperson Brian Hughes made this statement to Business Insider, indicating the administration’s pro-business, deregulatory approach that could significantly impact how AI and tech companies operate.
We want to have great companies. We don’t want China to have these companies.
Trump said this when discussing Google’s antitrust challenges, revealing his nationalist approach to tech policy that prioritizes keeping American tech giants strong against Chinese competition, which could influence both antitrust enforcement and AI regulation.
an active role
Meta President Nick Clegg used this phrase to describe Mark Zuckerberg’s desired involvement in Trump administration discussions about US tech leadership, specifically mentioning artificial intelligence as a “pivotal” field, demonstrating how central AI has become to Big Tech’s policy priorities.
Our Take
This convergence of tech power and political influence represents a critical inflection point for AI governance. The irony is striking: Trump previously threatened these same executives, yet they’re now seeking his favor because the regulatory stakes are so high. Musk’s position as Trump’s tech confidant creates an unprecedented situation where a CEO with his own AI company (xAI) has the president-elect’s ear, potentially influencing policy that affects competitors like OpenAI. The emphasis on “reducing regulation” could accelerate American AI innovation but raises questions about safety guardrails and ethical oversight. Meta’s explicit focus on AI as “pivotal” and Altman’s discussions about US data center investments reveal how companies are positioning AI development as a national security and economic competitiveness issue—a framing likely to resonate with Trump’s America First agenda. The next four years will likely determine whether the US maintains AI leadership through innovation or whether lighter regulation creates unforeseen risks.
Why This Matters
This story represents a pivotal moment for AI regulation and Big Tech’s future in the United States. With artificial intelligence advancing rapidly and concerns mounting about safety, competition, and national security, the Trump administration’s approach to AI policy will shape the industry for years to come. The fact that Meta explicitly identified AI as a “pivotal” area for discussion underscores how central this technology has become to tech companies’ strategic planning.
The involvement of Elon Musk as a key Trump confidant adds another layer of complexity, particularly given his conflicts with OpenAI’s Sam Altman and his own AI ventures through xAI. This could create an uneven playing field where some AI companies have preferential access to policymakers. The appointment of Howard Lutnick as Commerce Secretary is especially significant since that department will oversee AI regulation, making Altman’s meeting with him strategically important.
For businesses and workers, the administration’s stance on AI regulation versus innovation could determine whether the US maintains its technological leadership against China, how quickly AI transforms various industries, and what guardrails exist to protect jobs and safety. The promise to “reduce regulation” suggests a lighter touch that could accelerate AI development but potentially at the cost of oversight.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/tech-ceos-donald-trump-elon-musk-mark-zuckerberg-sam-altman-2024-12