Donald Trump, once a surprising choice for president and later a polarizing figure, now seems to hold a dominant position among America’s elite. Eight years after his first term, the 78-year-old Republican has become a central figure for tech leaders, politicians, foreign dignitaries, and even sections of the media.
Reflecting on this shift, Trump remarked at his Mar-a-Lago resort, “In the first term, everyone was fighting me. Now, everyone wants to be my friend. I don’t know, maybe my personality changed or something.” Despite the comment, Trump’s personality appears largely unchanged, but many of his former critics seem eager to align with his administration, known for valuing loyalty above all else.
Wendy Schiller, a political science professor at Brown University, observed, “People seem to think it’s better to stay on his good side — the challenge is, that side can shift quickly.”
Tech Industry Engagement
A parade of high-profile tech figures has visited Mar-a-Lago, signaling a significant shift in Trump’s relationship with Silicon Valley. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly sought to repair relations following Facebook’s ban on Trump after the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021. Tim Cook of Apple, Sundar Pichai and Sergey Brin from Google, and even Jeff Bezos, once a vocal Trump critic, have all made appearances or announced plans to meet him.
Major tech players, including Meta, Amazon, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, have pledged $1 million each toward Trump’s upcoming inauguration fund. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew also met with Trump recently, aiming to prevent a U.S. ban on the platform.
Trump sees these meetings as a stark contrast to his first term, commenting, “It’s like night and day now.”
Political Shifts and Influence
Trump’s return to the White House comes with a strong mandate, and many Republicans in Congress are aligning with his vision. Key cabinet nominees, such as Pete Hegseth for the Pentagon and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary, face little resistance.
Even President Joe Biden, once critical of Trump’s impact on democracy, seems to have adopted a more conciliatory tone to ensure a smooth transition. World leaders, from Hungary’s Viktor Orban to Canada’s Justin Trudeau, are also seeking to build ties, with Trudeau reportedly navigating Trump’s tariff threats.
Media Reconciliation
The media, often a target of Trump’s ire, is also attempting to rebuild bridges. MSNBC hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, previously outspoken critics, visited Mar-a-Lago in November. Meanwhile, Time Magazine named Trump its “Person of the Year” for the second time, and The New York Stock Exchange invited him to ring its opening bell.
Columnist Michelle Goldberg described the changing landscape in an opinion piece, calling it “The Great Capitulation.”
Challenges for Critics
While Trump’s allies benefit from his renewed influence, his critics face growing challenges. Recently, he filed lawsuits against a pollster and a newspaper for publishing unfavorable survey results ahead of the election, even though he ultimately won Iowa by a significant margin.
Schiller noted, “Trump now seems more adept at leveraging the power of the presidency against those who oppose him.”
As Trump prepares for another term, the dynamics of power and influence around him highlight a transformed political and social landscape. Those who once opposed him are now navigating how to stay in his favor.
