“Newly Revealed Alliance Emerges at CPAC Conference”
The recent public reconciliation between President Donald Trump and major players in the tech industry, following his return to power, is yet to be embraced at the annual Conservative Political Action Committee event. Attendees at CPAC this week responded negatively to any mention of Facebook or its billionaire CEO Mark Zuckerberg, with one speaker labeling Google as the most egregious tech monopoly. Throughout the conference, there were promotions for alternative conservative-friendly platforms as substitutes for mainstream platforms like X and YouTube.
Among all industries, the technology sector has been the most determined to mend ties with Trump in light of his resurgent political influence. High-profile figures from Meta, Amazon, Apple, and Google visited Mar-a-Lago during the transition period. Tech companies and their leaders generously contributed to his inaugural events, aiding in setting fundraising records. Notably, Elon Musk of X, the wealthiest person globally, has emerged as a key ally in reshaping the government alongside Trump.
Musk, who has notably avoided criticism from the MAGA movement, was warmly received at CPAC as he discussed his efforts to address government spending. Other tech companies have implemented new policies apparently aimed at appeasing Trump and regaining conservative support. However, the reception at CPAC suggests that these efforts have not assuaged the persistent resentment among Trump’s staunchest supporters.
For many at CPAC, the past actions of social media giants, such as deplatforming prominent conservative figures and implementing content moderation policies perceived as biased, remain a point of contention. Some responses to outreach efforts by these companies were dismissive, with one speaker sarcastically thanking Google and Facebook for their contributions to Trump’s inauguration.
Despite the tech industry’s attempts to reach out, the deep-rooted hostility that characterized the relationship between the conservative movement and Silicon Valley in recent years is still prevalent. Even with Trump back in power, some Republican politicians are considering actions that could strip tech companies of legal protections against liability for content on their platforms.
Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt cautioned at CPAC that companies must decide to either operate as an open platform or be held accountable like a publisher, exemplifying the recent lawsuit filed by President Trump against CBS for the editing of a “60 Minutes” interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. Amidst the event, attendees donned Trump masks and engaged in various activities. Trump’s reconciliation with Silicon Valley elites was evident as tech executives supported him during his second term inauguration. Despite past battles still being discussed, the political landscape has shifted in favor of conservatives. The scrutiny on Big Tech extends to corporate boardrooms, with figures like BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon facing criticism for their relations with Trump. Former strategist Steve Bannon underscored the need for skepticism towards industries that may not align with the MAGA movement. The growing alt-tech sector at CPAC presents alternatives for conservatives, though challenges remain with Trump’s renewed connections to established companies like X, formerly Twitter. Parler, once banned by major tech platforms, now positions itself as blockchain-based, offering users ownership of content and avoiding algorithm manipulation.
Despite their efforts, the appeal to conservatives by Parler remains partially connected to the political events of the past five years. Amy Robbins, a Parler spokesperson, expressed skepticism regarding users completely abandoning mainstream platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. During the CPAC event, where Parler had a significant presence, Robbins questioned the trustworthiness of Mark Zuckerberg in addressing censorship concerns. “People are not going to 100% leave those platforms, but I think you can still be a little bit leery about it,” Robbins told CNN. To stay updated with more CNN news and newsletters, you can sign up for an account at CNN.com.
