Prominent business leaders from various sectors convened at the White House last night to express their support for President Donald Trump’s policies regarding artificial intelligence.
During the meeting, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella praised the president, stating, “Your policies are really making a significant impact.” AMD’s Lisa Su highlighted the rapid advancements in AI that have emerged since the administration took office, while Oracle CEO Safra Catz emphasized her appreciation for Trump’s recognition of AI’s importance. “You’ve unleashed American innovation and creativity,” Catz noted, commending Trump’s initiatives across various governmental departments.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman thanked Trump for his “pro-business and pro-innovation” stance, characterizing it as a refreshing change. Altman expressed excitement over forthcoming initiatives and mentioned plans for considerable investment in the U.S.
The remarks took place during a public dinner hosted by Trump at the White House, which included CEOs from leading tech corporations such as Apple, Google, and Meta. Trump engaged the CEOs in discussions about their financial commitments in the U.S. over the next few years, showing enthusiasm as they mentioned spending projections in the hundreds of billions. Earlier, First Lady Melania Trump convened a task force meeting focused on AI education, where those companies made pledges to invest in training the youth and workforce to harness new technologies.
The business leaders have direct stakes in the outcomes of Trump’s policies.
Meetings between tech industry executives and the White House have become a regular occurrence throughout this administration. Many attendees from Thursday’s dinner were also present at Trump’s inauguration and contributed to his inaugural fundraising efforts. Notably, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg met with Trump prior to the commencement of an antitrust trial involving his company. During the dinner, Zuckerberg sat beside Trump, who jocularly suggested that Zuckerberg consider a political career in response to a question from a reporter.
The aligning interests of these CEOs with Trump’s policies could greatly influence their businesses, particularly concerning issues like tariffs, permits for resources necessary for AI production, and involvement in ongoing legal disputes with the government. Trump referenced a recent favorable ruling for Google in an antitrust case, despite not acknowledging that his previous administration initiated the lawsuit. Google CEO Sundar Pichai commented on the positive resolution of their discussions with the administration, emphasizing the importance of constructive dialogue.
Apple CEO Tim Cook, who has managed to maintain a cordial relationship with Trump despite the majority of his products being manufactured in China, expressed appreciation for the invitation and the opportunity to invest in the U.S. “It speaks volumes about your leadership and focus,” Cook remarked.
When pressed about potential semiconductor tariffs, Trump reiterated his intention to impose substantial tariffs that could be exempted for companies committing to domestic production. “Tim Cook is likely in good standing,” he remarked.
