In a letter, Democratic lawmakers accuse Meta, OpenAI, Google and others of trying to ‘buy a favor’ from Trump
Democratic lawmakers wrote a letter accusing major tech companies and executives of engaging in an “effort to influence and influence” the incoming administration after significant donations to President-elect Donald Trump Trump’s Inauguration Fund.
Letter, received from Fox News Digital, distributed by Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Michael Bennet to Amazon, Apple, Google, OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft and Uber.
“Big tech companies have come under increased scrutiny from federal regulators for antitrust violations, privacy violations and harm to workers, consumers and competitors. At the same time, lawmakers in both parties have expressed support for regulation of technology platforms, acknowledging that there is currently no comprehensive set of rules for technology sector,” the letter states.
BIDEN WARNS OF ‘ULTRA-RICH’ ‘OLIGARCHIES’ DESPITE ACCEPTING DONATIONS FROM DEM MEGA-DONORS.
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bennet are demanding answers from tech companies after their contributions to President-elect Trump’s inaugural fund. (Photo by Win McNamee/Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images)
“We are concerned that your company and other Big Tech donors are using your massive inauguration fund contributions to curry favor with the incoming Trump administration in an effort to avoid scrutiny, limit regulation and buy favor,” the document continued.
Warren and Bennett argue that these donations “raise questions about corruption and the influence of corporate money in the Trump administration, and Congress and the public deserve answers.”
The letter asks the listed companies to answer questions about these contributions by January 31, including the reasoning behind them and what kind of communications were sent to the Trump team.
JASON ALDEAN, KID ROCK JOIN CARRIE UNDERWOOD AT TRUMP’S INAUGURATION
Logos of big big tech companies. (smart city file image: istock)
“Funny, they never sent me this for a Democrat contribution,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman tweeted in response to a letter.
Altman noted that his $1 million donation to the inaugural fund was a personal contribution and was confused by the details of the document, given that his company was not involved in the decision.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, an OpenAI spokesperson said, “Sam believes President Trump will lead our country during a pivotal moment for AI and American innovation and looks forward to working with him and his administration.”
TRUMP INAUGURATION GUEST LIST INCLUDES TECH TITANS MARK ZUCKERBERG, JEFF BEZOS, ELON MUSK
Tech leaders including Elon Musk, Shou Zi Chew, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg are scheduled to attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday. (ETIENNE LAURENTBAY ISMOYOMARK RALSTONANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft and Uber have donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund.
Apple CEO Tim Cook personally donated $1 million to the fund.
Many of these technology leaders are expected to attend Trump’s inauguration.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft and Uber for comment.
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