On Thursday a unique act of vassalage took place. In him CEOS and leaders of the main technology companies Americans attended a dinner in which they paid supplies, without exception, to the president of the United States, Donald Trump. The scene, Continuation of another recentit was almost feudal and it was a spectacular demonstration of what is the balance of current power in the United States.
What happened. Last week the White House advertisement That the first lady, Melania Trump, organized a meeting with the aim of creating a “shock force” to promote education in artificial intelligence. To that event They went The CEOs of the great US technology companies, among which they stood out:
- Tim Cook, Apple CEO
- Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft
- SUCBUL PICHAI, CEO of Google
- Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO
- Alexandr Wang, Excueo de Scale Ai
- Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI
- Grek Brockman, president of OpenAi
- Smooth his, CEO of AMD
- Safra Catz, CEO of Oracle
- Arvind Krishna, CEO of IBM
- Sergey Brin, Google co -founder
Elon Musk, the great absent. They went to dinner 33 guests Among those who were those technological leaders, in addition to some administration officials and risk capital investors. There were nevertheless several notable absences: for example those of Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon – but did David clean (CEO of Blue Origin) and Jamie Siminoff, director of the firm – or that of Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia. The most striking was Musk’s He said in x that “I was invited but unfortunately I could not go” although there are data that suggests that I wasn’t on that guest list. Your relationship with Trump, Before idyllicis in the last times going through a much more complex phase in which both They have clearly distanced themselves.
Thanks, Mr. President. During that dinner the CEOs of the great technological ones had a brief intervention that in all cases included a thanks aimed at President Trump. Altman, Gates, Nadella, Pichai or Zuckerberg left him evident in his speeches. The OpenAi CEO, for example, said “thank you for being a favorable president to business. It is a very refreshing change.” Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, followed that same line when heading to him: “” Thank you very much for gathering everyone and for the policies she has launched for the United States to lead. “
Tim Cook and his eight “thanks” in two minutes. The most striking of these participations was that of Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, who in two minutes said “thanks” to the president. The shared viral video on social networks has caused the occasional Meme For the surprising submission that Cook showed in his speech. The relationship between the two It is singular From the presidential elections.
Modern technological vassalage. The scene was especially striking and in the shared videos on social networks, Trump is seen and the first lady sitting in the center of the table as dominant figures, while the people who currently shape the global economy. The scenery was spectacular: Silicon Vally giants basically went to a dinner in which they transmitted their total subordination to the US president. It was an even more forceful symbol that the one who lived at the investiture ceremony by Donald Trump.
Looking for the president’s favor. These acts demonstrate what is the balance of power in the United States. It does not matter that the managers of these companies are responsible for much of the world economy: They all know That regulations, tax sanctions or vetoes can stop their innovation and billing, and Trump does not hesitate to play those letters if he considers it necessary. Political power is able to impose a regulatory framework, and companies know that they depend on that framework to operate. What times those on Facebook (for example) blocked Trump from his social networks.
Silicon Valley is afraid. What is also evident is that the technological world in the US cannot be separated from state power. They depend on him antitrust regulations, digital infrastructure and of course gigantic and juicy government contracts. Being good with the US president is crucial for their businesses, and if you have to fold, they fold. That was not an exchange of impressions: it was a demonstration of who directs the score.
Strategic calculation. The submissive position of technological leaders probably also responds to a strategic calculation: It is better to be docile in public and then negotiate regulatory benefits in private. The choreography shown at that dinner was full of meaning, because despite the power of the Big Tech, these companies are still anchored to the fact that the US president is a thickery of modern king to which they must pay vassalage so that they do not change the rules of the game in a second.
Not so different from what happens in China. The scene also reminded us of a situation much more forceful: The one that is lived in China, where the government and its president, Xi Jingping, hold absolute power. Companies know it and for years have paid an absolute vassalage to their rulers, which intervene and make decisions in the operation and management of private companies. And those who try to rebel pay very expensive: to tell Jack Ma.
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