Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, joined a congratulatory phone call between Donald Trump and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, according to a report by The Information. The call followed Trump’s election victory over Kamala Harris in the recent presidential election on November 5. This collaboration highlights the intricate ties between tech leaders and Trump’s incoming administration.
Musk’s presence on the call adds another layer to his already significant influence within Trump’s orbit. The conversation raises questions about Musk’s role in shaping tech policy under the next administration, especially given his critical stance on Google’s search algorithms.
Musk’s role in Trump’s inner circle grows
Elon Musk has become a near-constant figure in Trump’s inner circle. Recently appointed as co-lead of a newly formed “Department of Government Efficiency,” Musk has reportedly been involved in various sensitive discussions. These include phone calls between Trump and world leaders such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This marks the first instance of Musk joining a conversation between Trump and a major tech CEO.
Musk’s inclusion in the call with Pichai is notable, given his outspoken criticism of Google. Both Musk and Trump have accused Google of alleged bias in its search results. Musk has suggested that searches about Trump often bring up news unrelated to him, such as content about Harris.
Despite these tensions, Musk’s involvement in discussions with tech executives like Pichai signals his potential sway over tech policy in the Trump administration. Analysts speculate that Musk’s presence could reflect an effort to align tech giants with the administration’s goals.
Tech leaders and Trump forge connections
This call also sheds light on broader efforts by tech leaders to establish connections with Trump. Sundar Pichai’s outreach mirrors earlier calls between Trump and other executives, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Amazon CEO Andy Jassy.
Musk’s dual role as a tech magnate and government appointee has drawn scrutiny. His proximity to Trump, both figuratively and literally, amplifies concerns about conflicts of interest and the influence of private industry on public policy.