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As Donald Trump steps into his second term as President of the United States, a notable shift is taking place in the tech world’s political affiliations. Once symbolically aligned with Elon Musk, Trump now seems to be parting ways with the Tesla and SpaceX magnate, raising the pressing question: who will be the next tech mogul to influence the Oval Office? During his January inauguration, Trump rolled out the red carpet for Silicon Valley’s elite, with figures from Apple, Google, Meta, and OpenAI showing up in what looked like a power merger of tech and politics.
This unfolding dynamic suggests not just a political realignment, but a strategic tech-political alliance that could shape future U.S. policy on AI, data infrastructure, chip manufacturing, and regulatory reform. Here’s a detailed look at the contenders vying to be Trump’s go-to tech advisor and power broker.
Rising Tech Titans: Who’s Next in Trump’s Inner Circle?
Mark Zuckerberg – The Meta Strategist
Mark Zuckerberg is arguably the most prepared and proactive of the tech leaders positioning himself within Trump’s orbit. From donating \$1 million to Trump’s inauguration to personally hosting elite galas in the President’s honor, Zuckerberg is making bold political moves. Meta has since pivoted its DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) strategies—terminating key programs in 2025—and introduced a Community Notes-style fact-checking tool, echoing the Trump administration’s push against misinformation.
More tellingly, Zuckerberg has bought a sprawling \$23 million mansion in Washington, D.C., cementing his physical and political presence in the capital. His frequent visits to Mar-a-Lago further hint at deepening ties with the administration.
Sam Altman – Architect of the AI Future
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is a surprising but significant player. Despite a public feud with Musk, Altman joined forces with Trump through the ambitious \$100 billion Stargate AI infrastructure initiative—launched immediately after Trump’s re-election. His involvement underscores Trump’s embrace of AI as a national priority.
In May, Altman accompanied Trump on a visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss the construction of a massive AI data center in Abu Dhabi. This deal placed OpenAI at the forefront, reportedly upsetting Musk, who tried but failed to derail the project. Altman’s pragmatic stance and global tech ambitions align seamlessly with Trump’s goal of regaining AI dominance.
Jensen Huang – Chip King Under Pressure
Nvidia’s Jensen Huang is another influential figure, although his relationship with the Trump administration is a mix of collaboration and conflict. Huang praised Trump for scrapping Biden-era chip export rules, calling them “flawed,” and Nvidia is now involved in the Stargate AI project in collaboration with Oracle, SoftBank, and G42.
However, Trump’s administration also hit Nvidia hard by banning sales of its advanced H20 chips to China—a decision that cost the company \$5.5 billion. Huang remains influential, but his future role may be shaped by how Nvidia navigates this regulatory storm.
Jeff Bezos – From Critic to Collaborator
Once one of Trump’s most vocal critics, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has surprisingly adopted a conciliatory tone. With a \$1 million donation to Trump’s inauguration and public statements expressing optimism about deregulation, Bezos seems to be mending fences.
That said, old wounds haven’t fully healed. In April, Amazon considered displaying Trump-imposed tariffs on product listings, a move the White House called “hostile.” While that plan was scrapped, it highlights the fragile balance in Bezos’ relationship with Trump.
What Undercode Say: 🧠 Deep Analysis Behind the Political Power Shift
A Recalibrated Tech-Political Landscape
This evolving relationship between Big Tech and Trump’s administration is not merely a coincidence. It reflects a conscious recalibration of power dynamics. With Trump back in office, tech leaders are repositioning themselves—not just for regulatory advantages, but to have a seat at the table where future policies on AI, cybersecurity, chip manufacturing, and global data sovereignty are written.
Elon
Elon Musk’s departure from Trump’s advisory circle is both symbolic and strategic. His previously dominant presence in the tech-political sphere now seems eclipsed by rivals like Altman and Zuckerberg, who offer more cooperative and less controversial approaches to navigating federal partnerships. Musk’s last-minute involvement in derailing the Abu Dhabi deal also suggests his influence may be waning.
Zuckerberg’s DC Move: A Calculated Power Play
Zuckerberg’s real estate move into D.C. is more than personal—it’s strategically political. By anchoring himself in the capital, he’s signaling a desire to actively shape policies from within, rather than lobbying from afar. His removal of major DEI initiatives may also appeal to Trump’s base, aligning with the administration’s push for cultural and institutional reform.
Altman’s AI Vision: Perfectly Aligned with
Altman’s rapid integration into Trump’s strategic goals—especially via the Stargate project—indicates that AI is now the top technological priority for the U.S. government. His diplomatic poise and scalable vision for global infrastructure mirror Trump’s desire to outpace China and other global competitors in the AI race.
Bezos’ Political Realignment: Pragmatism Over Ideology
Bezos’ pivot from critic to contributor reveals a pragmatic shift rather than ideological change. As Amazon faces antitrust scrutiny and seeks smoother regulatory conditions, aligning with Trump becomes less about support and more about survival and influence.
✅ Fact Checker Results
Elon Musk is no longer in Trump’s inner circle — Confirmed ✅
Zuckerberg terminated major DEI initiatives in 2025 — Verified ✅
Trump banned
🔮 Prediction
Expect Sam Altman and Mark Zuckerberg to emerge as Trump’s closest tech advisors, with Altman potentially being appointed to an official role in the AI or infrastructure domain. Musk may remain influential, but more as a competitor than a collaborator. Meanwhile, the tech industry is likely to pivot further toward deregulation, AI expansion, and global infrastructure dominance, reshaping the landscape of American innovation under the Trump 2.0 era.
References:
Reported By: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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