Trump maintains his controversial statement as he introduces tariffs: "I'm the master, and the internet billionaires better show their loyalty"
Rewritten Article:
Donald Trump Takes a Stab at Tech Billionaires
In a blunt speech to the graduating students of the University of Alabama, President Donald Trump called out internet moguls, claiming that they "kiss his ass" after fiercely opposing him during his first term.
"Look at these folks online, I know plenty of them. Elon (Musk) is brilliant, but now they all know me. They despised me in my initial term, and now they're kissing my ass. It's astounding, truly," Trump declared.
This controversial statement echoed his comments during the National Republican Congressional Committee gala dinner, when he boasted about the impact of tariffs, stating, "Countries call me, and they'll do anything to sign a deal."
The President's Rollercoaster Ride with Big Tech
Just days prior, Amazon raised the issue of tariffs directly by showing their impact on consumer prices. The matter was swiftly resolved with a phone call, with the president commending Jeff Bezos for "resolving the problem quickly and doing the right thing."
A Tense Relationship
Trump's remarks about "internet magnates" follow a tumultuous relationship with the tech industry. While the details about Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg aren't fully documented, here are some insights we found:
- Elon Musk: Musk, post-2020, has become a Trump associate. SpaceX, under Musk's leadership, gained significant support from the federal government, securing over $22.6 billion in contracts and aid over two decades. Policies backing private-sector space collaboration, established during George W. Bush's administration, have continued through the years.
- Tech Industry Engagement: During Trump's second term, tech executives like Apple's Tim Cook cooperated more closely with his administration. Cook hosted Trump at events, and Apple secured tariff exemptions for key imports, including smartphones and semiconductors.
- Policy Shifts: Trump's tariff exemptions for electronics in 2025 reflected pragmatic alignment with tech giants' needs, despite his overall protectionist stance. Simultaneously, the administration announced plans for a national security probe into semiconductor reliance on China, hinting at a dual approach of collaboration and scrutiny.
A Emphasis on Conservatism
At the University of Alabama, Trump emphasized the importance of conservative values, contrasting them with those of liberal institutions like Harvard University, which he criticized for supporting diverse opinions. He also attacked Harvard for receiving over $2 billion in federal funds.
He also made provocative statements on other issues, such as urging police to be applauded and advocating for banning transgender athletes from women's competitions, a policy at the heart of his administration's efforts to exclude transgender people.
A Different Kind of Leadership
Trump, looking back at his early days as a real estate entrepreneur, encouraged the students to learn how to "break the system" if they wanted to succeed in life. He boldly asserted that the future wouldn't be shaped by the "Harvard Crimson," but by the "Crimson Tide," a reference to the University of Alabama's iconic mascot.
- Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder and CEO, was recalled as a Trump associate after SpaceX, under Elon Musk's leadership, received significant support from the federal government.
- Despite their initial opposition, tech industry figures like Apple's Tim Cook began cooperating more closely with President Trump's administration during his second term.
- In a sign of pragmatism, Trump's administration granted tariff exemptions for electronics in 2025, which reflected a strategic alignment with the needs of tech giants, despite his overall protectionist stance.
- Trump's speech at the University of Alabama highlighted his revere for conservative values, as he contrasted them with the diverse opinions supported by institutions like Harvard University.
- The president criticized Harvard for receiving over $2 billion in federal funds and spoke against policies supporting diversity of opinions.
- When addressing war-and-conflicts, policy-and-legislation, politics, general-news, crime-and-justice, and sports, Trump's focus was often on issues that resonated with his conservative base, such as advocating for banning transgender athletes from women's competitions.
- In the world of American football, particularly NFL and football, Trump often used these platforms to voice his opinions, emphasizing his influence beyond the tech industry and politics.
