The Intercept Briefing  cover image

The Intercept Briefing

The Broligarchy: The Who’s Who of the Silicon Gilded Age

Jan 24, 2025
Justin Hendrix, CEO and editor of Tech Policy Press, explores the alliance between tech giants and the Trump administration. He discusses the intriguing dynamics of power players like Zuckerberg, Bezos, and Musk, who are on track to become trillionaires soon. The conversation touches on the implications of their political support on societal norms and governance. Additionally, they examine the influence of social media on young Americans' political views, particularly regarding platforms like TikTok, and how these shifts could reshape political engagement.
29:56

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The shift in alignment between Silicon Valley tech leaders and Donald Trump illustrates a newfound collaboration that influences corporate strategy and public policy.
  • The prominence of billionaires at the inauguration highlights a concentration of economic power that may exacerbate socio-economic inequalities and democratic concerns.

Deep dives

Tech Giants Align with Trump

The relationship between major tech leaders and Donald Trump has significantly changed, with many billionaires now openly supporting the Trump administration. Unlike the standoffish attitude seen in 2017, tech CEOs have embraced collaboration, likely in response to the Biden administration's regulatory approach towards the tech industry. High-profile individuals like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg have publicly aligned with Trump's leadership, indicating a willingness to set aside previous criticisms for corporate interests. This shift suggests a deeper entrenchment of tech's influence in political decision-making, where personal relationships with the president may dictate corporate strategy.

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