Tech media leaders are friendlier to Trump in 2025 than 2017
Posted By RichC on February 21, 2025
Over the past year, I’ve been asked to write commentary for TheHustings.News. It isn’t really something I’ve thought about doing in the past, but 
I’ve enjoyed having someone “ask” me to help bolster the “right-leaning” column of their political news website (nothing earth shattering).
After several columns in 2024, the editor asked if he could include my name as a regular contributor. Although it’s not a prestigious website or anything, I still appreciated his interest in having me contribute my conservative political views.
A recent topic focused on the Washington Post and owner Jeff Bezos, especially their refusing to run an ad asking President Trump to “fire” DOGE and Elon Musk by Common Cause. Since I’m not a Washington Post reader, I opted to comment on seeing a 180 degree turn by many tech and media companies this go around. Who know if it will get included, but I’ll share my short commentary below:
The relationship between tech and media companies and the Trump administration has evolved significantly from 2017 to 2025. In 2017, the tech sector, including giants like Apple, Google, and Microsoft, was largely oppositional to Trump’s policies, particularly criticizing initiatives like the travel ban due to its impact on workforce diversity and global operations.
However, by 2025, there’s been a notable realignment:
- Meta’s Strategic Shift: Meta has actively sought President Trump’s assistance to counter EU regulatory measures, highlighting a strategic alignment with the administration to protect its international interests.
- Elon Musk’s Influence: Musk has taken on a role as a senior advisor to Trump, influencing policy from within, albeit without a formal government title, raising discussions on the extent of his influence.
- Content Moderation Policy: An executive order from Trump titled “Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship” has pushed companies to adjust their content moderation practices, reflecting a move away from previous regulatory approaches.
- FCC’s DEI Scrutiny: The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, is investigating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, leading media companies to rethink or scale back these initiatives to align with the administration’s stance.
- Jeff Bezos and The Washington Post: Jeff Bezos, owner of both Amazon and The Washington Post, has publicly expressed optimism about Trump’s second term, particularly regarding deregulation. The Washington Post, under Bezos’s ownership, faced backlash for not endorsing a presidential candidate in 2024, which some interpreted as an attempt to curry favor with Trump. This decision, alongside Bezos’s comments on supporting Trump’s regulatory agenda, marks a significant departure from the media’s previously adversarial stance, showcasing a more collaborative approach to navigate the political landscape.
This evolution from opposition to a more cooperative posture by 2025 reflects tech and media companies’ pragmatic adaptation to the prevailing regulatory environment, aiming to safeguard their interests under Trump’s administration.
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