In a recent press conference held at Mar-a-Lago, president-elect Donald Trump expressed his bewilderment over the media’s lack of coverage regarding his meetings with prominent tech moguls, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai. Trump reflected on the contrasting behavior of these industry leaders between his first and anticipated second terms, stating, “I don’t know, my personality changed or something.”
During the conference, Trump recounted his recent interactions with various tech giants, noting that following his decisive victory in the 2024 presidential election, these figures are eager to forge relationships with him. “Everybody wants to be my friend,” he remarked, highlighting the stark difference from 2016, when he faced considerable opposition from the same sector. “This is one of the big differences,” he emphasized, referring to the notable shift in dynamics.
Trump recalled a dinner he had with Tim Cook and mentioned that he also met with Sundar Pichai and Google co-founder Sergey Brin. “I did have dinner with Tim Cook. I had a dinner with sort of almost all of them, and the rest are coming,” he stated, pointing to the growing number of tech leaders seeking his attention. The president-elect noted the absence of media coverage regarding these significant meetings, stating, “I can’t believe that you didn’t pick that one up.”
In his remarks, Trump expressed his frustration that the media failed to report on his interactions with these influential figures, stating, “Nobody picked that up.” He specifically highlighted his meetings with Sundar Pichai and Sergey Brin, indicating the importance of these discussions in shaping the future of technology and business in America.
As Trump prepares for his return to the White House, the eagerness of tech moguls to connect with him indicates a potential shift in the relationship between the tech industry and the U.S. government. The president-elect’s comments suggest that he expects a collaborative atmosphere moving forward, contrasting sharply with the contentious relationships seen during his first term.
Overall, Trump’s press conference serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between politics and the tech industry, as well as the media’s role in shaping public perception of these interactions. As the nation anticipates his second term, it will be interesting to see how these relationships evolve and what impact they may have on policy and innovation in the coming years.