In a series of claims that have captured attention this year, former President Donald Trump has asserted that several prominent tech CEOs have reached out to him, purportedly to express admiration or support. These claims, however, are surrounded by ambiguity and denials from the involved parties.

Trump and Tim Cook

One of Trump's notable connections in Silicon Valley was with Apple CEO Tim Cook. During Trump's presidency, Cook was known to maintain a working relationship with the administration. He participated in advisory panels that directly influenced policies impacting Apple's operations, such as those on tariffs and immigration. Despite Trump's recent assertions, Apple has not confirmed any recent calls from Cook to Trump. In a report by WIRED, it was noted that Apple did not provide a comment regarding this claim.

Zuckerberg's Contested Call

Shortly after a dramatic assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump claimed that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg reached out to express renewed support. In an interview, he quoted Zuckerberg saying that he would not support candidates opposing Trump after witnessing his resilience. However, Meta rebuffed this statement, with a spokesperson clarifying that Zuckerberg has not endorsed any candidate in recent elections and does not intend to do so. Although details of the conversation remain unspecified, it was confirmed that Zuckerberg, in a previous communication, called Trump "badass" for his actions post-incident.

Zuckerberg, despite facing heavy criticism from the Trump administration on censorship grounds and experiencing a ban from Facebook and Instagram after the Capitol riot, still exhibited a complex stance towards Trump in the public realm.

Bezos and the Washington Post

Amazon's founder, Jeff Bezos, recently became a focal point after deciding that The Washington Post would refrain from endorsing presidential candidates, despite an endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris being underway. This move sparked backlash. Trump, who has frequently criticized Bezos for the newspaper's editorial stance, claimed Bezos contacted him following the assassination attempt, complimenting his resilience. Furthermore, it was reported that Amazon CEO Andy Jassy also reached out to offer admiration. The Washington Post remains at the center of these political entanglements.

A Web of Relationships

These interactions underscore the complicated relationships between high-profile tech figures and Trump, characterized by a mix of admiration, strategic alignment, and contentious disagreements. While Trump continues to assert these supportive interactions, many within the tech community maintain a more neutral or opposing public stance, leading to a fascinating interplay between power, politics, and business.

For more detailed accounts and the latest developments, this article was originally covered in WIRED.