Manipulating the Narrative: Trump, Tech Giants, and the Battle for the Information Space
Donald Trump’s return to power is shaping up to be a cautionary tale of how authoritarian ambitions intertwine with control over the information space. With tech moguls flocking to Mar-a-Lago and opening their wallets, ABC News settling a defamation suit to fund his initiatives, and social media platforms already bending to his will, the landscape for the threat to information appears increasingly precarious.
Dictators historically seek to delegitimize independent news sources and manipulate the information space to consolidate their power, shaping public perception and stifling dissent. In Trump’s case, this dynamic has been playing out in real-time, as media outlets and tech giants become entangled in his pursuit of influence, blurring the lines between fact and propaganda.
Over the past few weeks, Apple CEO Tim Cook dined with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, following visits from Google CEO Sundar Pichai and cofounder Sergey Brin. Mark Zuckerberg flew in on Thanksgiving Eve, and Jeff Bezos is set to meet with Trump this week. The tech elite’s pilgrimage underscores a disturbing reality: their influence and platforms can redefine public discourse in Trump’s favor.
The financial support from major tech companies also reveals a concerning trend. Meta, Amazon, and OpenAI each contributed $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, summed up the unsettling alliance by stating, "President Trump will lead our country into the age of AI, and I am eager to support his efforts to ensure America stays ahead." When tech leaders align with an aspiring authoritarian, their innovations risk being wielded as tools to consolidate power rather than empower citizens. This dynamic mirrors the relationship between tech giants, oligarchs, and the Russian government, where innovations in technology have been co-opted by the state to suppress dissent, control narratives, and tighten political control.
To make matters worse, Patrick Soon-Shiong, owner of the Los Angeles Times, has recently become embroiled in significant controversies. First, he blocked the Times editorial board, from endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for president. And now, he has accused the newspaper of becoming an "echo chamber" for the political left and announced plans for a new digital “bias meter” at the Times to flag the ideological slant of its content, further capitulating to the incoming regime.
And all of this is happening while Trump hasn’t even assumed power yet, illustrating how the manipulation of media and information is already taking shape in the lead-up to his potential return to office.
Musk and the X Factor
Elon Musk’s platform, X (formerly Twitter), already showcases the dangers of centralized control. Once a bastion of free expression, it has devolved into a space where disinformation thrives, amplified by changes to algorithms and content moderation policies. Under Musk’s leadership, X has become a megaphone for Russian disinformation, far-right influencers and rhetoric, and Trump’s lies, threats, and conspiracies, echoing the tactics of other dictators who manipulate social media to cement their grip on power. Meanwhile, the voices of liberals, independents, and fact-based media are increasingly silenced.
ABC’s Capitulation
Meanwhile, ABC News’ recent $15 million settlement to Trump’s presidential library fund is emblematic of a media landscape under siege. This settlement stemmed from anchor George Stephanopoulos’ claim that Trump had been found civilly liable for raping E. Jean Carroll instead of sexually assaulting her. A simple correction would have sufficed, yet the decision to settle shows capitulation. Beyond the monetary contribution, ABC’s apology and editor’s note expressing “regret” set a dangerous precedent: media outlets yielding to Trump’s demands, playing directly into his narrative of fake news. This capitulation undermines journalistic integrity and strengthens the forces that seek to distort the truth and undermine democracy.
Framing the settlement as a “charitable contribution” highlights the troubling normalization of Trump’s authoritarian tendencies. These compromises weaken the media’s role as a watchdog and further empower Trump to portray himself as a victim of unjust treatment. It is a tactic that echoes the Kremlin’s playbook: delegitimize independent voices and consolidate control over the information landscape.
Why This Matters
History has shown that control of the information space is central to the rise of authoritarian regimes. In Russia, Putin’s consolidation of media outlets and silencing of dissent created an environment where the state dictates reality. Trump’s decade-long efforts to erode trust in mainstream media, combined with his embrace of compliant tech platforms and eager corporate allies, follow a disturbingly familiar pattern.
We are likely to witness more legacy organizations halt critical coverage and investigations into corruption as the normalization of once-unthinkable scandals accelerates. For instance, Elon Musk’s influence—buying voters, meeting with world leaders, engaging with potential cabinet nominees, and promoting the absurd, made-up DOGE agency targeting national security agencies like the Pentagon and DOJ—is being downplayed or normalized altogether. This erosion of accountability only serves to further consolidate power in Trump’s hands, enabling him to manipulate the narrative without serious challenge. And this comes at a time when Trump is more emboldened than ever, making media central in holding his regime in check more necessary than ever.
A Call to Action
Democracy requires constant vigilance. We must actively demand accountability from tech leaders who enable authoritarianism and resist the temptation to prioritize profits over democratic values. We must pressure policymakers to take a firm stance by enforcing regulations that protect the information space from manipulation and ensure accountability in the digital realm. The media must resist the pressure to capitulate to those who seek to undermine its role in safeguarding truth and holding power accountable.
Equally important is supporting independent media outlets and NGOs that have been on the front lines, exposing corruption and dictatorial tactics, fighting for freedoms, and documenting the erosion of democracy. These organizations are essential in standing up against attempts to manipulate the narrative. The stakes are clear: control of the narrative is control of the future. If Trump succeeds in his authoritarian ambitions, the consequences will not be confined to America— the ripple effects will be felt globally.