Staff Reports
The business elite are gearing up for their annual pilgrimage to Mar-a-Lago, and they seem to have brought their best flattery. The Financial Times has reported that some of America’s biggest CEOs are lining up to “pay tribute” to President-elect Donald Trump, a move that carries a delightful sense of desperation. It appears that the business moguls have decided to swap their left-leaning affiliations for a front-row seat at the Trump show, hoping to curry favor with a man who they previously criticized—and, in some cases, openly opposed.
Among the top executives on this list are familiar names: Ted Sarandos of Netflix, Jeff Bezos from Amazon, TikTok’s Shou Zi Chew, and the consistently flummoxed Masayoshi Son of SoftBank. Also making an appearance is Mark Zuckerberg, whose recent ventures into political landscape management seem to have led him straight to Trump’s doorstep. These executives are not merely paying homage; they are likely seeking forgiveness—or perhaps, a business miracle—that will help soften the upcoming regulations that could put a damper on their profits.
The meetings themselves reflect both an air of resignation and an ironic twist in the business world. It takes quite a bit for these über-wealthy CEOs, most of whom like to snuggle up to the left side of the political spectrum, to admit that they might need to deal with a president who isn’t afraid to throw some punches. In fact, it seems that the fear of governmental punishment is greater than the desire to stick to their previous political guns. A Washington lobbyist did not hold back, lamenting on the unfortunate reality that these CEOs might have less clout than they thought.
In Trump’s inner circle, these gatherings are being touted as a tremendous approval of the president-elect’s economic vision, a refreshing change for a business community that had grown increasingly wary during his first term. Despite having turned their backs on Trump after the tumult of January 6, many are now flirting with the idea of rekindling their romance. It’s all about stability in a chaotic world, and these executives seem more than willing to play footsie in hopes of getting back into Trump’s good graces.
Report: America‘s Top CEOs ‘Bend the Knee‘ to President-Elect Trump
These CEO's are fighting for their lives after what they did to Trump. What do you think he should do with these DS traitors.https://t.co/jodEVGxARN via @BreitbartNews
— X22 Report (@X22Report) December 18, 2024
The motivations behind these meetings are as diverse as the executives themselves. For instance, Shou Zi Chew of TikTok is playing a game of high stakes, hoping to save his platform from a potential U.S. ban, while others from the tech world are praying for a lighter touch on regulations that continually threaten their business strategies. Meanwhile, there’s still a gnawing concern among the executives over Trump’s plans—including tariffs and immigration policies, which give corporate America chills. Yet they’ve come to realize that engaging with Trump’s fiery rhetoric might be more beneficial than challenging it outright.
As the bevy of corporate leaders gears up to cozy up to Trump, the anticipated result may very well be a new era of cooperation, albeit born from trepidation. These businessmen, despite their occasionally shaky past support, appear ready to embrace their roles as willing partners in Trump’s new administration. They’re keen on showcasing their willingness to find common ground—even if it comes with the aftertaste of earlier betrayals. With more CEOs reportedly making the trip, it seems Trump’s influence continues to reign supreme, and corporate America is ready to play ball.
