US lawmakers set to investigate Big Tech over their donations to Trump's inauguration

Big Tech companies, including Apple, are facing some tough questions from US lawmakers over their donations to Donald Trump’s inauguration fund. While Apple didn’t donate directly, its CEO, Tim Cook, made a personal contribution of $1 million, joining other tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon in making similar-sized donations.  

This is a big change from previous inaugurations, where donations were usually much smaller. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bennet are now raising concerns, wondering if these donations are more about securing favours than showing support.

Senators question the motive behind donations

Warren and Bennet have expressed concern that these generous donations could be attempts by big tech to gain special treatment from the incoming administration. They pointed out that many of these companies, which have already faced government investigations and regulatory scrutiny, could be looking to influence the new president.  

According to the senators, such large donations could raise questions about corruption and the role of corporate money in politics. They’ve called for answers, stressing that both Congress and the public deserve to know what’s really going on behind these contributions.

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A sharp contrast to past donations

The donations made to Trump’s inauguration fund stand in stark contrast to those made for Joe Biden’s inauguration just four years ago. Back then, Meta didn’t contribute anything, Google gave $337,500, and Apple donated a much smaller $43,200.  

The jump in donations this time around is hard to ignore, and lawmakers are now wondering if it signals a shift in how big tech is trying to position itself politically, especially as it faces growing pressure from governments around the world.

What’s behind the $1 million donations?

While it’s impossible to know exactly how much influence these donations will have on Trump’s policies, it’s clear that tech leaders like Tim Cook know how to play the game. During Trump’s first term, it became apparent that flattery and a little show of support could go a long way in building a relationship with the administration. It’s possible that’s why Cook made his $1 million donation personally, keeping Apple’s finances out of it. By making this gesture, big tech might be hoping to avoid further scrutiny and maybe even soften the impact of future regulations.

The senators have asked the tech companies to respond to their concerns by January 30. Whether this investigation will lead to any real consequences is still unclear, but it’s clear that lawmakers are paying attention.