CEOs Court Trump and Musk to Influence Policies in New Administration

Since Donald Trump’s re-election as president, a wave of CEOs from major corporations and tech giants has been reaching out to establish ties with the president-elect.

This effort, often involving high-profile meetings at Mar-a-Lago or phone calls, highlights their eagerness to shape Trump’s upcoming administration and protect their business interests.

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek is among at least 10 executives who have personally engaged with Trump. In a recent phone call, Ek referenced Trump’s successful pre-election podcast interview with Joe Rogan, using it as a subtle way to flatter the president-elect. Other CEOs have gone further, bringing $1 million checks to Trump’s inauguration fund and traveling to meet him in person.

This parade of executives underscores Trump’s significant influence over policies that could dramatically impact their bottom lines. Elon Musk is a prime example of how this influence can manifest. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO, a major Trump ally, played a central role in derailing a government funding bill, pushing Congress to the brink of a shutdown.

Musk, who bought Twitter in 2022, endorsed Trump this year and spent over $260 million supporting his campaign. Now a trusted adviser, Musk has been appointed to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency alongside Vivek Ramaswamy.

While not all CEOs possess Musk’s clout, many have sought Trump’s favor, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai. After the government narrowly avoided a shutdown, Trump dined with Musk and Bezos at Mar-a-Lago.

Notably, Bezos, once a staunch Trump critic, attended the dinner, signaling a shift in their relationship. A source described the meeting as “friendly,” with Trump inviting Bezos to his inauguration.

The president-elect has embraced the attention, posting on X, “EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND!!!” As CEOs seek to mend relationships with Trump, known for his impulsive decisions, they’ve crafted strategies to appeal to him.

Discussions often focus on Trump’s preferred topics, such as bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S., while subtly addressing their policy concerns.

Susie Wiles, Trump’s incoming chief of staff, has been instrumental in arranging these meetings. While some executives rely on Trump-aligned advisers to secure appointments, others contact Trump directly.

These meetings serve both as introductions and opportunities to test Trump’s priorities and maintain open lines of communication for the next four years.

For instance, Zuckerberg recently dined with Trump and presented him with Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. During the same trip, Zuckerberg met with key Trump advisers and discussed tech policy. Similarly, TikTok CEO Shou Chew met with Trump to address the company’s U.S. operations amid legal battles over a potential ban.

The pharmaceutical industry also sought Trump’s ear. Executives from Eli Lilly, Pfizer, and industry group PhRMA met with Trump and his Health and Human Services secretary pick, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to discuss drug prices.

Trump criticized pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) during the meeting, promising to “knock out the middleman” and lower drug costs.

CEOs are keen to influence Trump’s agenda, with some emphasizing topics like tariffs, regulation, and tax policy. Apple’s Tim Cook reportedly raised concerns about European regulations, while other executives aim to protect their market interests under Trump’s leadership.

As Trump prepares to take office, more meetings are expected. Executives from Walmart and other major corporations are reportedly lining up to ensure their voices are heard.

This high-stakes engagement demonstrates the business world’s determination to secure its place in the administration’s priorities.