Survey Reveals Widespread Distrust of Big Tech's Overtures to Trump Administration
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Most Trump voters distrust Big Tech's efforts to suck up to president: survey
Most of Donald Trump's supporters aren't buying Big Tech's attempts to suck up to the president, according to nationwide poll results exclusively obtained by The Post. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other Big Tech bosses have launched a charm offensive since Trump won the White House - flocking to his January inauguration, making trips to the Oval Office and scrapping fact-checking operations that had been accused of anti-conservative censorship. However, 54% of Trump voters - and 70% of voters overall - believe the moves are part of a cynical ploy to sway the president to embrace Big Tech policy positions, according to a survey conducted by the watchdog group Tech Oversight Project and Public Policy Polling. As far as the tech CEOs themselves, Zuckerberg was deemed the most unlikeable, with 63% of Trump voters disapproving of him, versus 74% of voters overall. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos drew dislikes from 53% of Trump voters versus 67% overall. Google's Pichai drew a 52% disapproval rating from Trump voters (55% overall), while OpenAI's Sam Altman got 34% (50% overall) and Apple CEO Tim Cook 44% dislikes (33% overall), according to the poll. "Not only are Americans consistently distrustful of Big Tech CEOs, but even Trump voters reject their new MAGA act - and in fact support policies like a Big Tech Tax to rein them in," said Sacha Haworth, executive director of the Tech Oversight Project. When it comes to artificial intelligence, only 7% of respondents said they trust Big Tech CEOs to make decisions on policies likely to affect the everyday lives of Americans, while 52% of respondents said they trusted federal and state governments to take the lead on the issue. According to the survey, 72% of respondents support the concept of a "Big Tech tax" aimed at ensuring the companies pay their fair share for initiatives that impact the public, such as increased strain on power grids from energy-guzzling AI data centers. 60% of Republicans support a Big Tech tax while just 21% are against it. Additionally, 86% of Democrats and 70% of independents were in favor. Big Tech's efforts to sway Trump have intensified during a time in which the companies are scrambling to shape federal AI regulations - and as several, including Google, Meta and Amazon, face antitrust lawsuits and congressional investigations with the potential to upend their businesses. "Holding Big Tech companies accountable continues to be a political winner, and Congress should take note that the American people overwhelmingly support an agenda that stops Silicon Valley executives who are recklessly endangering kids, crushing small and innovative businesses, and skyrocketing home energy costs on families," Haworth added. Trump has appointed antitrust hawks to lead key agencies -- including Gail Slater as the DOJ's antitrust chief and Andrew Ferguson as chair of the Federal Trade Commission. The survey was conducted on June 3and 4 and polled a total of 541 voters.
[2]
Exclusive | Most Trump voters distrust Big Tech's efforts to suck up to president...
Most of Donald Trump's supporters aren't buying Big Tech's attempts to suck up to the president, according to nationwide poll results exclusively obtained by The Post. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other Big Tech bosses have launched a charm offensive since Trump won the White House - flocking to his January inauguration, making trips to the Oval Office and scrapping fact-checking operations that had been accused of anti-conservative censorship. However, 54% of Trump voters - and 70% of voters overall - believe the moves are part of a cynical ploy to sway the president to embrace Big Tech policy positions, according to a survey conducted by the watchdog group Tech Oversight Project and Public Policy Polling. As far as the tech CEOs themselves, Zuckerberg was deemed the most unlikeable, with 63% of Trump voters disapproving of him, versus 74% of voters overall. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos drew dislikes from 53% of Trump voters versus 67% overall. Google's Pichai drew a 52% disapproval rating from Trump voters (55% overall), while OpenAI's Sam Altman got 34% (50% overall) and Apple CEO Tim Cook 44% dislikes (33% overall), according to the poll. "Not only are Americans consistently distrustful of Big Tech CEOs, but even Trump voters reject their new MAGA act - and in fact support policies like a Big Tech Tax to rein them in," said Sacha Haworth, executive director of the Tech Oversight Project. When it comes to artificial intelligence, only 7% of respondents said they trust Big Tech CEOs to make decisions on policies likely to affect the everyday lives of Americans, while 52% of respondents said they trusted federal and state governments to take the lead on the issue. According to the survey, 72% of respondents support the concept of a "Big Tech tax" aimed at ensuring the companies pay their fair share for initiatives that impact the public, such as increased strain on power grids from energy-guzzling AI data centers. 60% of Republicans support a Big Tech tax while just 21% are against it. Additionally, 86% of Democrats and 70% of independents were in favor. Big Tech's efforts to sway Trump have intensified during a time in which the companies are scrambling to shape federal AI regulations - and as several, including Google, Meta and Amazon, face antitrust lawsuits and congressional investigations with the potential to upend their businesses. "Holding Big Tech companies accountable continues to be a political winner, and Congress should take note that the American people overwhelmingly support an agenda that stops Silicon Valley executives who are recklessly endangering kids, crushing small and innovative businesses, and skyrocketing home energy costs on families," Haworth added. Trump has appointed antitrust hawks to lead key agencies -- including Gail Slater as the DOJ's antitrust chief and Andrew Ferguson as chair of the Federal Trade Commission. The survey was conducted on June 3and 4 and polled a total of 541 voters.
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A new poll shows that most Trump voters and the general public are skeptical of Big Tech's efforts to influence the president, with a majority supporting increased regulation and taxation of tech giants.
Public Skepticism Towards Big Tech's Political Maneuvers
A recent survey conducted by the Tech Oversight Project and Public Policy Polling has unveiled widespread skepticism among American voters, particularly supporters of Donald Trump, regarding Big Tech's attempts to curry favor with the president. The poll results, exclusively obtained by The Post, indicate a significant distrust of tech giants' motives and a growing demand for increased regulation 12.
Distrust in Big Tech's Motives
Source: New York Post
According to the survey, 54% of Trump voters and 70% of voters overall believe that recent efforts by Big Tech companies to align with the president are part of a "cynical ploy" to influence policy decisions. This sentiment comes in response to actions such as tech CEOs attending Trump's inauguration, making Oval Office visits, and modifying fact-checking operations that were previously accused of anti-conservative bias 12.
Unfavorable CEO Ratings
The poll also revealed unfavorable opinions of prominent tech CEOs:
- Mark Zuckerberg (Meta): 63% disapproval from Trump voters, 74% overall
- Jeff Bezos (Amazon): 53% disapproval from Trump voters, 67% overall
- Sundar Pichai (Google): 52% disapproval from Trump voters, 55% overall
- Sam Altman (OpenAI): 34% disapproval from Trump voters, 50% overall
- Tim Cook (Apple): 44% disapproval from Trump voters, 33% overall 12
AI Policy and Public Trust
The survey highlighted a significant lack of trust in Big Tech's ability to shape AI policy:
- Only 7% of respondents trust Big Tech CEOs to make decisions on AI policies affecting everyday lives
- 52% prefer federal and state governments to take the lead on AI-related issues 12
Support for "Big Tech Tax"
A striking 72% of respondents support the concept of a "Big Tech tax" to ensure tech companies contribute fairly to public initiatives, such as offsetting the strain on power grids caused by AI data centers. This support crosses party lines:
Political Implications and Antitrust Concerns
The survey results come at a crucial time for Big Tech companies, as they face increasing scrutiny and potential regulation:
- Several companies, including Google, Meta, and Amazon, are currently facing antitrust lawsuits and congressional investigations
- The Trump administration has appointed antitrust hawks to key positions, including Gail Slater as the DOJ's antitrust chief and Andrew Ferguson as chair of the Federal Trade Commission 12
Sacha Haworth, executive director of the Tech Oversight Project, emphasized the political significance of these findings, stating, "Holding Big Tech companies accountable continues to be a political winner, and Congress should take note that the American people overwhelmingly support an agenda that stops Silicon Valley executives who are recklessly endangering kids, crushing small and innovative businesses, and skyrocketing home energy costs on families" 12.
The survey, conducted on June 3 and 4, polled a total of 541 voters, providing insights into the complex relationship between Big Tech, politics, and public opinion in the evolving landscape of technology regulation and AI policy.
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