The Powers That Be: Daily Billionaire Genuflection & Intel’s Trump Bump
Sep 26, 2025
Bill Cohan, an accomplished author and longtime Wall Street writer, dives deep into the curious behavior of billionaire CEOs towards Donald Trump, despite his low approval ratings. He explains the incentives and fears driving this genuflection, and discusses the divergent strategies of companies that either resist or capitulate. The conversation shifts to Intel's recent stock surge, spurred by government investment, questioning if the rise is justified or mere hype. Cohan also touches on the AI chip market and the ongoing hype surrounding tech investments.
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Why CEOs Kneel To Trump
- Billionaire CEOs publicly appease Trump to avoid becoming his target and protect their companies.
- Bill Cohan says individual self-preservation beats collective resistance when a CEO faces Trump's ire.
Cohan's Eisner Memory And Iger Praise
- Bill Cohan recounts working for Michael Eisner on the Euro Disney restructuring.
- He praises Bob Iger's recent outspoken stance as unusually public for a CEO he knows.
Trump's Divide-And-Conquer Effect
- Trump divides and conquers by singling out organizations, forcing isolated capitulation.
- Cohan argues scrambling to resolve individual crises keeps firms off Trump's radar and protects employees.
