A recent publication suggests that Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, and Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, made numerous attempts to foster a relationship with Donald Trump following his election victory in 2024. According to the book “Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump,” authored by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, Trump later referenced these interactions in a derogatory manner during private conversations.

Efforts by Zuckerberg and Bezos

The book details the actions taken by various Silicon Valley executives post-election to reconnect with Trump through a series of meetings and informal discussions. Zuckerberg and Bezos are identified as two key figures in this endeavour, employing distinctly different methods to engage with Trump’s administration. Zuckerberg allegedly sent a text message to Trump that included a photograph of a handwritten note from one of his young children. This note purportedly expressed a hopeful sentiment about entering a “golden age of America,” a phrase tied to Trump’s campaign messaging.

Trump reportedly shared this message with associates in a mocking tone, stating, “You would not believe the texts I got from these tech guys. I’ve got to show you.” He allegedly used the phrase “kissing my ass” multiple times when discussing the outreach efforts from Zuckerberg and Bezos, indicating a dismissive attitude towards their attempts.

Bezos’ Engagement and Criticism

The book portrays Bezos as taking a more straightforward, business-centric approach in his interactions with Trump. During a dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Bezos allegedly criticised The Washington Post, which he owns, describing the employees there as “terrible” and indicating that the publication was challenging to manage compared to his other ventures. Trump’s response highlighted the perceived unfairness of the newspaper’s coverage, suggesting, “This Washington Post is really unfair. You’ve got to take better care,” to which Bezos reportedly concurred, expressing dissatisfaction with the paper’s operations.

In a separate meeting at the White House in 2025, Bezos raised concerns regarding the United States’ reliance on Elon Musk’s SpaceX for space operations. He cautioned that depending on a single contractor could pose significant national security risks and advocated for opening up contracts to broader competition. This suggestion was seen as potentially benefiting Bezos’s own company, Blue Origin. According to reports, Trump expressed a willingness to consider this proposal; however, it did not result in any subsequent action.

Furthermore, the book indicates that Trump often critiqued Silicon Valley leaders in private, implying that their outreach was motivated by self-interest. He characterized their behaviour as overly eager compared to their demeanour in previous years. Elon Musk, who was reportedly present during some discussions, allegedly commented on the situation by saying, “First-class groveling,” in reference to the efforts made by other tech executives to connect with Trump.

Conclusion on Interaction Dynamics

Overall, the book presents a narrative illustrating the dynamics between Trump and major tech figures like Zuckerberg and Bezos during a pivotal period. It also notes that the individuals involved in these accounts have not officially confirmed the particulars outlined in the publication. The varied methods of engagement between these technology leaders and Trump highlight the complexities of their relationship against the backdrop of political and business interests.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share