Trump Celebrates Embrace from CEOs and Tech Leaders: "Everybody Wants to Be My Friend!"

A parade of CEOs and top tech leaders are seeking favor with President-elect Donald Trump, a shift that Trump has acknowledged with a mix of awe and delight.

Once met with resistance, Trump now finds himself embraced by business elites, who are flocking to Mar-a-Lago, his Florida residence, to meet with him ahead of his second term.

“EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social, expressing his astonishment at the change in reception.

Among the notable figures was Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, who dined with Trump recently despite their past tensions, including Bezos-owned The Washington Post reportedly pulling its endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris during the election.

During a press conference following his meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook, Trump highlighted the shift in attitudes since his first administration. “The biggest difference is that people want to get along with me this time,” he said. “The first one, they were very hostile... this one is really the opposite of hostile.”

In recent weeks, tech leaders including Google’s Sundar Pichai, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg have visited Trump. On Friday, Trump shared on Truth Social that former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates had requested a meeting at Mar-a-Lago that evening.

This newfound willingness to engage with Trump suggests a strategic move by the business community, either to secure a seat at the table or to avoid potential retribution.

Bruce Mehlman, a former Bush administration official, described the shift as “massive,” noting that CEOs are eager to engage with administrations “when they have a mandate and momentum.”

While Trump secured 49.8% of the vote in the recent election, gaining 77 million votes to Harris’s 74.4 million, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report contended that neither party could claim a definitive mandate. However, Trump himself has characterized his victory as a “massive” mandate.

A Republican strategist noted the surprising willingness of Silicon Valley executives to court Trump, emphasizing their interest in deregulation.

“They’re thinking, ‘Trump means deregulation,’ and they’re worried Elon Musk might get a leg up in Silicon Valley. Somehow, Trump has figured out how to get Silicon Valley, which bows to no one, to bow to him,” the strategist said.

Democratic lobbyists have also acknowledged the business world’s recognition of the need to engage with Trump. “Every client we have knows they’re going to need to work with the incoming administration,” one lobbyist said. “Everybody is strategizing on what makes the most sense for them.”

Corporate giants like Amazon, Meta, OpenAI, and Perplexity have already pledged $1 million each to Trump’s inaugural fund.

Many business leaders are optimistic about the prospect of Trump’s pro-business policies, including reduced regulations, lower taxes, and an increase in mergers and acquisitions activity. Trump’s administration is also expected to roll back climate-related regulations and curtail diversity initiatives implemented during the Biden years.

However, Trump’s plans for steep tariffs and mass deportations present potential challenges for businesses. Despite these uncertainties, executives at global conferences such as the World Economic Forum in Davos and the Future Investment Initiative (FII) have expressed excitement about Trump’s return to the White House.

A Democratic donor noted that many corporate leaders are hopeful about Trump’s promises for less regulation and a more favorable tax structure.

“This time, there’s been very intentional, thorough preparation that didn’t exist during his first term,” the donor said. Trump’s pick for Treasury secretary, hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, has also garnered praise from corporate leaders, including JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and Evercore Senior Chair Roger Altman.

Trump’s influence in the business world was on full display recently when he rang the bell at the New York Stock Exchange after being named Time’s “Person of the Year.” His visit included meetings with top business leaders, underscoring the growing alignment between Trump and corporate America.

While many CEOs are eager to work with Trump, some see it as a calculated move. “Look for places where you can work with this administration, because there will also be times when you’ll need to speak out,” a Democratic lobbyist advised.

Trump’s second term appears poised to further intertwine his administration with corporate interests, solidifying his position as a central figure in shaping U.S. business and economic policy.