During a recent dinner hosted by President Trump at the White House, several prominent tech CEOs expressed their admiration for his administration's pro-business and pro-innovation policies. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella highlighted how the President's initiatives are significantly benefiting the tech industry, stating, “You and your policies are really helping a lot.” This sentiment was echoed by AMD CEO Lisa Su, who commended the rapid progress made in the few months since Trump's administration began.
Oracle CEO Safra Catz also praised the President for recognizing the importance of artificial intelligence (AI), stating, “You’ve unleashed American innovation and creativity.” Catz acknowledged the efforts made by various cabinet members and the White House in fostering an environment conducive to American success. In a similar vein, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed excitement about the administration’s initiatives, saying, “Thank you for being such a pro-business and pro-innovation president.” He further emphasized OpenAI’s commitment to investing significantly in the United States.
The dinner, which included CEOs from major tech companies such as Apple, Google, and Meta, featured discussions about future investments in the United States. Trump inquired about the companies’ financial commitments, and the responses indicated potential investments totaling in the hundreds of billions. Earlier that day, First Lady Melania Trump hosted a task force meeting focused on AI education, where these companies pledged investments to help educate the youth and workforce on emerging technologies.
The presence of tech leaders at the White House has become a common occurrence during the Trump administration. Many of the CEOs present at the dinner also attended Trump’s inauguration and contributed to his inaugural fund. Notably, Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook was seated next to Trump, despite their previously contentious relationship. Trump teasingly suggested that Zuckerberg could launch a political career, highlighting the evolving dynamics between tech leaders and the administration.
The CEOs at the dinner are closely tied to Trump's policies, which impact various aspects of their businesses, including tariffs on semiconductors and product access. Many of these leaders are currently involved in legal disputes with the administration over different regulatory issues. Trump also acknowledged Google’s recent legal victories, stating that a judge denied the Department of Justice’s aggressive antitrust proposals against the search giant. Google CEO Sundar Pichai appreciated the constructive dialogue with the administration, indicating a willingness to reach resolutions.
Apple CEO Tim Cook, who has managed to maintain a positive relationship with Trump, remarked on the importance of the President’s leadership in facilitating significant investments in the United States. Cook expressed gratitude for the opportunity to interact with Trump and the First Lady, emphasizing the collaborative spirit fostered by the administration.
During the dinner, Trump reiterated his stance on potential tariffs for semiconductors, suggesting that a “fairly substantial tariff” could be waived for companies planning to manufacture in the U.S. He remarked, “I’d say Tim Cook would be in pretty good shape,” indicating a favorable outlook for Apple amidst these discussions.
This dinner at the White House exemplifies the ongoing relationship between the Trump administration and leading tech executives, highlighting the mutual interests in fostering growth and innovation in the American economy.
