Mon Dec 16 03:05:04 UTC 2024: ## Tech CEOs Court President-Elect Trump Amidst Past Tensions
**WEST PALM BEACH, Florida** – President-elect Donald Trump hosted Apple CEO Tim Cook for dinner at Mar-a-Lago on Friday, marking the latest in a series of meetings between the incoming president and top tech executives. The dinner follows a recent phone conversation where Trump and Cook reportedly discussed Apple’s ongoing tax dispute with the European Union, culminating in a €13 billion ($14.34 billion) back tax ruling.
This outreach from Silicon Valley follows strained relationships with Trump during his first term. OpenAI, Amazon, and Meta have each donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, a gesture of goodwill after past criticisms and legal battles. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, who previously voiced criticism of Trump, expressed optimism about the president-elect’s second term and support for his regulatory cut plans. Similarly, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who met privately with Trump at Mar-a-Lago weeks prior, adopted a more positive stance towards the president-elect during the recent campaign. These actions suggest a concerted effort by tech giants to foster improved relations with the Trump administration.
First Piper 