Posted on 01/18/2025 8:08:58 PM PST by blueyon
Democrats are placing a noose around their necks come their next election time it’ll be a swinging time.
Sue her.
The Progressive is distinguished by their capacity to do 180 degrees opposite of everything they publicly articulate
Lol! Maybe add some fiber to your diet.
Democrats are also showing thier totalitarian true colors... Thugs, goons, liars...
Threatening letters on U.S. Senate letterhead stationary sent out by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren to folks who donated large sums to Trump inauguration fund.
this is naked, raw, Democrat fascism ... period
these letter ares actually archived on Warren’s official Senate website:
letter sent to altman, meta, alphabet, microsoft and others
who donated large sums to Trump inauguration ...
January 17, 2025 Jeff Bezos Chief Executive Officer Amazon Headquarters 410 Terry Avenue North Seattle, WA 98109 Dear Mr. Bezos, In the two months since the election, Big Tech companies including Amazon have made million-dollar gifts to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund in what appears to be an effort to influence and sway the actions and policies of the incoming administration. Specifically, on December 12th, 2024 a company spokesperson confirmed your intention to donate $1 million to the inaugural fund.1 Big Tech companies have come under increased scrutiny from federal regulators for antitrust violations, violations of privacy, and harms to workers, consumers, and competition.2 At the same time, lawmakers in both parties have voiced support for regulating tech platforms, in recognition that there is currently no comprehensive set of rules for the tech sector.3 We are concerned that your company and other Big Tech donors are using your massive contributions to the inaugural fund to cozy up to the incoming Trump administration in an effort to avoid scrutiny, limit regulation, and buy favor. You have a clear and direct interest in obtaining favors from the incoming administration: your company and many other Big Tech donors are already the subject of ongoing federal investigations and regulatory actions. For example:
●Amazon, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, is the subject of multipleongoing regulatory actions, including multiple Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suitsrelated to anticonsumer and anticompetitive practices, a Department of Justice (DOJ)
1 Associated Press, “Amazon to contribute $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund. Meta is also donating,” December 13, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/trump-meta-zuckerberg-inauguration-donation-c540bf7c638def11b8428e633965c718.
2 Reuters, “FTC can reopen Meta privacy case despite $5 billion fine, court rules,” Mike Scarcella, March 13, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/ftc-can-reopen-meta-privacy-case-despite-5-bln-fine-court-rules-2024-03-13/; U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, “Justice Department Sues Google for MonopolizingDigital Advertising Technologies,” press release, January 24, 2023, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-google-monopolizing-digital-advertising-technologies.
3 Digital Consumer Protection Commission Act of 2023, S. 2597, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2597; Open App Markets Act, S. 2710, https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2710; AMERICA Act, S. 1073, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1073.
2
investigation into fraudulent schemes to obtain credit, and over 300 open National Labor
Relations Board (NLRB) cases alleging unfair labor practices.4
● Apple CEO Tim Cook donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, while Apple is the
subject of a DOJ antitrust suit, as well as over 20 open NLRB cases related to unfair labor
practices.5
● Google, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, was found by a federal
court to have an illegal monopoly over the online search market.6 Google has promised to
appeal the ruling and the Trump administration’s DOJ will decide whether to contest the
appeal. Google is also the subject of over 20 open NLRB cases related to unfair labor
practices.7
● Meta, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, is the subject of an ongoing
investigation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) into the improper use
of financial data and an FTC antitrust suit for monopolistic practices.8
● Microsoft has donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund and is the subject of multiple
open investigations by the FTC for anticompetitive practices.9
● OpenAI CEO Sam Altman personally donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund,
while OpenAI is the subject of an open FTC investigation for consumer harm, and an
SEC investigation for misleading investors.10
● Uber donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, along with an additional $1 million
from Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. The company is the subject of an ongoing FTC
investigation for predatory practices.11
It is critical that federal regulators continue to evenhandedly apply competition, consumer
protection, anti-discrimination laws and any other rule or law that applies to your company. But
the industry’s efforts suggest that Big Tech companies are trying to curry favor and skirt the
rules. This would be good for billionaire tech executives, but it is bad for America: if left
unchecked, Big Tech monopolies will threaten consumers’ rights, run roughshod over workers,
and squash competition while stifling innovation.
These donations raise questions about corruption and the influence of corporate money on the
Trump administration, and Congress and the public deserve answers. Therefore, we ask that you
provide responses to the following questions by January 31st, 2025:
1. When and under what circumstances did your company decide to make these
contributions to the Trump inaugural fund?
4 Public Citizen, “Corporate Enforcement Tracker,” January 10, 2025, https://www.citizen.org/article/corporateenforcement-
trump-tracker.
5 Id.
6 Associated Press, “US regulators seek to break up Google, forcing Chrome sale as part of monopoly punishment,”
Michael Liedtke, November 21, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/google-search-monopoly-penalty-justicedepartment-
84e07fec51c5c59751d846118cb900a7.
7 Public Citizen, “Corporate Enforcement Tracker,” January 10, 2025, https://www.citizen.org/article/corporateenforcement-
trump-tracker.
8 Id.
9 Id.
10 Id.
11 Id.
3
2.What is your rationale for these contributions?
3.Which individuals within the company chose to make these donations?
4.Was the Board informed of these plans, and if so, did they provide affirmative consent todo so? Did your company inform shareholders of plans to make these donations?
5.Did officials with the company have any communications about these donations withmembers of the Trump Transition team or other associates of President Trump? If so,please list all such communications, including the time of the conversation, theparticipants, and the nature of any communication.
We look forward to your response.
Sincerely, Elizabeth Warren
United States Senator
Michael F. Bennet
United States Senator
January 17, 2025 Tim Cook Chief Executive Officer Apple Inc. 1 Apple Park Way Cupertino, CA 95014 Dear Mr. Cook, In the two months since the election, Big Tech companies including Apple have made million-dollar gifts to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund in what appears to be an effort to influence and sway the actions and policies of the incoming administration. Specifically, on January 3rd, 2025 reporting confirmed your intention to personally donate $1 million to the inaugural fund.1 Big Tech companies have come under increased scrutiny from federal regulators for antitrust violations, violations of privacy, and harms to workers, consumers, and competition.2 At the same time, lawmakers in both parties have voiced support for regulating tech platforms, in recognition that there is currently no comprehensive set of rules for the tech sector.3 We are concerned that your company and other Big Tech donors are using your massive contributions to the inaugural fund to cozy up to the incoming Trump administration in an effort to avoid scrutiny, limit regulation, and buy favor. You have a clear and direct interest in obtaining favors from the incoming administration: your company and many other Big Tech donors are already the subject of ongoing federal investigations and regulatory actions. For example:
●Amazon, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, is the subject of multipleongoing regulatory actions, including multiple Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suitsrelated to anticonsumer and anticompetitive practices, a Department of Justice (DOJ)
1 Axios, “Scoop: Apple CEO Tim Cook donates $1 million to Trump inauguration,” Mike Allen, January 3, 2025, https://www.axios.com/2025/01/03/tim-cook-apple-donate-1-million-trump-inauguration.
2 Reuters, “FTC can reopen Meta privacy case despite $5 billion fine, court rules,” Mike Scarcella, March 13, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/ftc-can-reopen-meta-privacy-case-despite-5-bln-fine-court-rules-2024-03-13/; U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, “Justice Department Sues Google for MonopolizingDigital Advertising Technologies,” press release, January 24, 2023, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-google-monopolizing-digital-advertising-technologies.
3 Digital Consumer Protection Commission Act of 2023, S. 2597, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2597; Open App Markets Act, S. 2710, https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2710; AMERICA Act, S. 1073, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1073.
2
investigation into fraudulent schemes to obtain credit, and over 300 open National Labor
Relations Board (NLRB) cases alleging unfair labor practices.4
● Apple CEO Tim Cook donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, while Apple is the
subject of a DOJ antitrust suit, as well as over 20 open NLRB cases related to unfair labor
practices.5
● Google, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, was found by a federal
court to have an illegal monopoly over the online search market.6 Google has promised to
appeal the ruling and the Trump administration’s DOJ will decide whether to contest the
appeal. Google is also the subject of over 20 open NLRB cases related to unfair labor
practices.7
● Meta, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, is the subject of an ongoing
investigation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) into the improper use
of financial data and an FTC antitrust suit for monopolistic practices.8
● Microsoft has donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund and is the subject of multiple
open investigations by the FTC for anticompetitive practices.9
● OpenAI CEO Sam Altman personally donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund,
while OpenAI is the subject of an open FTC investigation for consumer harm, and an
SEC investigation for misleading investors.10
● Uber donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, along with an additional $1 million
from Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. The company is the subject of an ongoing FTC
investigation for predatory practices.11
It is critical that federal regulators continue to evenhandedly apply competition, consumer
protection, anti-discrimination laws and any other rule or law that applies to your company. But
the industry’s efforts suggest that Big Tech companies are trying to curry favor and skirt the
rules. This would be good for billionaire tech executives, but it is bad for America: if left
unchecked, Big Tech monopolies will threaten consumers’ rights, run roughshod over workers,
and squash competition while stifling innovation.
These donations raise questions about corruption and the influence of corporate money on the
Trump administration, and Congress and the public deserve answers. Therefore, we ask that you
provide responses to the following questions by January 31st, 2025:
1. When and under what circumstances did your company decide to make these
contributions to the Trump inaugural fund?
4 Public Citizen, “Corporate Enforcement Tracker,” January 10, 2025, https://www.citizen.org/article/corporateenforcement-
trump-tracker.
5 Id.
6 Associated Press, “US regulators seek to break up Google, forcing Chrome sale as part of monopoly punishment,”
Michael Liedtke, November 21, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/google-search-monopoly-penalty-justicedepartment-
84e07fec51c5c59751d846118cb900a7.
7 Public Citizen, “Corporate Enforcement Tracker,” January 10, 2025, https://www.citizen.org/article/corporateenforcement-
trump-tracker.
8 Id.
9 Id.
10 Id.
11 Id.
3
2.What is your rationale for these contributions?
3.Which individuals within the company chose to make these donations?
4.Was the Board informed of these plans, and if so, did they provide affirmative consent todo so? Did your company inform shareholders of plans to make these donations?
5.Did officials with the company have any communications about these donations withmembers of the Trump Transition team or other associates of President Trump? If so,please list all such communications, including the time of the conversation, theparticipants, and the nature of any communication.
We look forward to your response.
Sincerely, Elizabeth Warren
United States Senator
Michael F. Bennet
United States Senator
January 17, 2025 Sundar Pichai Chief Executive Officer Google Headquarters 1600 Amphitheater Parkway Mountain View, CA 64043 Dear Mr. Pichai, In the two months since the election, Big Tech companies including Google have made million-dollar gifts to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund in what appears to be an effort to influence and sway the actions and policies of the incoming administration. Specifically, on January 6th, 2025 a company spokesperson confirmed that your donation of $1 million was made to the inaugural fund.1 Big Tech companies have come under increased scrutiny from federal regulators for antitrust violations, violations of privacy, and harms to workers, consumers, and competition.2 At the same time, lawmakers in both parties have voiced support for regulating tech platforms, in recognition that there is currently no comprehensive set of rules for the tech sector.3 We are concerned that your company and other Big Tech donors are using your massive contributions to the inaugural fund to cozy up to the incoming Trump administration in an effort to avoid scrutiny, limit regulation, and buy favor. You have a clear and direct interest in obtaining favors from the incoming administration: your company and many other Big Tech donors are already the subject of ongoing federal investigations and regulatory actions. For example:
●Amazon, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, is the subject of multipleongoing regulatory actions, including multiple Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suitsrelated to anticonsumer and anticompetitive practices, a Department of Justice (DOJ)
1 CNBC, “Google donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund, joining other tech giants,” Ashley Capoot, January 9, 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/09/google-donates-1-million-to-trumps-inauguration-fund.html.
2 Reuters, “FTC can reopen Meta privacy case despite $5 billion fine, court rules,” Mike Scarcella, March 13, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/ftc-can-reopen-meta-privacy-case-despite-5-bln-fine-court-rules-2024-03-13/; U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, “Justice Department Sues Google for MonopolizingDigital Advertising Technologies,” press release, January 24, 2023, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-google-monopolizing-digital-advertising-technologies.
3 Digital Consumer Protection Commission Act of 2023, S. 2597, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2597; Open App Markets Act, S. 2710, https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2710; AMERICA Act, S. 1073, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1073.
2
investigation into fraudulent schemes to obtain credit, and over 300 open National Labor
Relations Board (NLRB) cases alleging unfair labor practices.4
● Apple CEO Tim Cook donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, while Apple is the
subject of a DOJ antitrust suit, as well as over 20 open NLRB cases related to unfair labor
practices.5
● Google, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, was found by a federal
court to have an illegal monopoly over the online search market.6 Google has promised to
appeal the ruling and the Trump administration’s DOJ will decide whether to contest the
appeal. Google is also the subject of over 20 open NLRB cases related to unfair labor
practices.7
● Meta, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, is the subject of an ongoing
investigation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) into the improper use
of financial data and an FTC antitrust suit for monopolistic practices.8
● Microsoft has donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund and is the subject of multiple
open investigations by the FTC for anticompetitive practices.9
● OpenAI CEO Sam Altman personally donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund,
while OpenAI is the subject of an open FTC investigation for consumer harm, and an
SEC investigation for misleading investors.10
● Uber donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, along with an additional $1 million
from Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. The company is the subject of an ongoing FTC
investigation for predatory practices.11
It is critical that federal regulators continue to evenhandedly apply competition, consumer
protection, anti-discrimination laws and any other rule or law that applies to your company. But
the industry’s efforts suggest that Big Tech companies are trying to curry favor and skirt the
rules. This would be good for billionaire tech executives, but it is bad for America: if left
unchecked, Big Tech monopolies will threaten consumers’ rights, run roughshod over workers,
and squash competition while stifling innovation.
These donations raise questions about corruption and the influence of corporate money on the
Trump administration, and Congress and the public deserve answers. Therefore, we ask that you
provide responses to the following questions by January 31st, 2025:
1. When and under what circumstances did your company decide to make these
contributions to the Trump inaugural fund?
4 Public Citizen, “Corporate Enforcement Tracker,” January 10, 2025, https://www.citizen.org/article/corporateenforcement-
trump-tracker.
5 Id.
6 Associated Press, “US regulators seek to break up Google, forcing Chrome sale as part of monopoly punishment,”
Michael Liedtke, November 21, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/google-search-monopoly-penalty-justicedepartment-
84e07fec51c5c59751d846118cb900a7.
7 Public Citizen, “Corporate Enforcement Tracker,” January 10, 2025, https://www.citizen.org/article/corporateenforcement-
trump-tracker.
8 Id.
9 Id.
10 Id.
11 Id.
3
2.What is your rationale for these contributions?
3.Which individuals within the company chose to make these donations?
4.Was the Board informed of these plans, and if so, did they provide affirmative consent todo so? Did your company inform shareholders of plans to make these donations?
5.Did officials with the company have any communications about these donations withmembers of the Trump Transition team or other associates of President Trump? If so,please list all such communications, including the time of the conversation, theparticipants, and the nature of any communication.
We look forward to your response.
Sincerely, Elizabeth Warren
United States Senator
Michael F. Bennet
United States Senator
January 17, 2025Mark Zuckerberg Chief Executive Officer Meta Headquarters 1 Hacker Way Menlo Park, CA 64025 Dear Mr. Zuckerberg, In the two months since the election, Big Tech companies including Meta have made million-dollar gifts to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund in what appears to be an effort to influence and sway the actions and policies of the incoming administration. Specifically, on December 11th, 2024 a company spokesperson confirmed that your donation of $1 million was made to the inaugural fund.1 Big Tech companies have come under increased scrutiny from federal regulators for antitrust violations, violations of privacy, and harms to workers, consumers, and competition.2 At the same time, lawmakers in both parties have voiced support for regulating tech platforms, in recognition that there is currently no comprehensive set of rules for the tech sector.3 We are concerned that your company and other Big Tech donors are using your massive contributions to the inaugural fund to cozy up to the incoming Trump administration in an effort to avoid scrutiny, limit regulation, and buy favor. You have a clear and direct interest in obtaining favors from the incoming administration: your company and many other Big Tech donors are already the subject of ongoing federal investigations and regulatory actions. For example:
●Amazon, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, is the subject of multipleongoing regulatory actions, including multiple Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suitsrelated to anticonsumer and anticompetitive practices, a Department of Justice (DOJ)
1 The Wall Street Journal, “Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta Donates $1 Million to Trump’s Inaugural Fund,” Dana Mattioli and Rebecca Ballhaus, December 11, 2024, https://www.wsj.com/tech/mark-zuckerbergs-meta-donates-1-million-to-trumps-inaugural-fund-32a999c1.
2 Reuters, “FTC can reopen Meta privacy case despite $5 billion fine, court rules,” Mike Scarcella, March 13, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/ftc-can-reopen-meta-privacy-case-despite-5-bln-fine-court-rules-2024-03-13/; U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, “Justice Department Sues Google for MonopolizingDigital Advertising Technologies,” press release, January 24, 2023, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-google-monopolizing-digital-advertising-technologies.
3 Digital Consumer Protection Commission Act of 2023, S. 2597, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2597; Open App Markets Act, S. 2710, https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2710; AMERICA Act, S. 1073, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1073.
2
investigation into fraudulent schemes to obtain credit, and over 300 open National Labor
Relations Board (NLRB) cases alleging unfair labor practices.4
● Apple CEO Tim Cook donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, while Apple is the
subject of a DOJ antitrust suit, as well as over 20 open NLRB cases related to unfair labor
practices.5
● Google, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, was found by a federal
court to have an illegal monopoly over the online search market.6 Google has promised to
appeal the ruling and the Trump administration’s DOJ will decide whether to contest the
appeal. Google is also the subject of over 20 open NLRB cases related to unfair labor
practices.7
● Meta, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, is the subject of an ongoing
investigation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) into the improper use
of financial data and an FTC antitrust suit for monopolistic practices.8
● Microsoft has donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund and is the subject of multiple
open investigations by the FTC for anticompetitive practices.9
● OpenAI CEO Sam Altman personally donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund,
while OpenAI is the subject of an open FTC investigation for consumer harm, and an
SEC investigation for misleading investors.10
● Uber donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, along with an additional $1 million
from Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. The company is the subject of an ongoing FTC
investigation for predatory practices.11
It is critical that federal regulators continue to evenhandedly apply competition, consumer
protection, anti-discrimination laws and any other rule or law that applies to your company. But
the industry’s efforts suggest that Big Tech companies are trying to curry favor and skirt the
rules. This would be good for billionaire tech executives, but it is bad for America: if left
unchecked, Big Tech monopolies will threaten consumers’ rights, run roughshod over workers,
and squash competition while stifling innovation.
These donations raise questions about corruption and the influence of corporate money on the
Trump administration, and Congress and the public deserve answers. Therefore, we ask that you
provide responses to the following questions by January 31st, 2025:
1. When and under what circumstances did your company decide to make these
contributions to the Trump inaugural fund?
4 Public Citizen, “Corporate Enforcement Tracker,” January 10, 2025, https://www.citizen.org/article/corporateenforcement-
trump-tracker.
5 Id.
6 Associated Press, “US regulators seek to break up Google, forcing Chrome sale as part of monopoly punishment,”
Michael Liedtke, November 21, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/google-search-monopoly-penalty-justicedepartment-
84e07fec51c5c59751d846118cb900a7.
7 Public Citizen, “Corporate Enforcement Tracker,” January 10, 2025, https://www.citizen.org/article/corporateenforcement-
trump-tracker
8 Id.
9 Id.
10 Id.
11 Id.
3
2.What is your rationale for these contributions?
3.Which individuals within the company chose to make these donations?
4.Was the Board informed of these plans, and if so, did they provide affirmative consent todo so? Did your company inform shareholders of plans to make these donations?
5.Did officials with the company have any communications about these donations withmembers of the Trump Transition team or other associates of President Trump? If so,please list all such communications, including the time of the conversation, theparticipants, and the nature of any communication.
We look forward to your response.
Sincerely, Elizabeth Warren
United States Senator
Michael F. Bennet
United States Senator
January 17, 2025 Satya Nadella Chief Executive Officer Microsoft Headquarters 1 Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052 Dear Mr. Nadella, In the two months since the election, Big Tech companies including Microsoft have made million-dollar gifts to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund in what appears to be an effort to influence and sway the actions and policies of the incoming administration. Specifically, on January 9th, 2025 a company spokesperson confirmed that your donation of $1 million was made to the inaugural fund.1 Big Tech companies have come under increased scrutiny from federal regulators for antitrust violations, violations of privacy, and harms to workers, consumers, and competition.2 At the same time, lawmakers in both parties have voiced support for regulating tech platforms, in recognition that there is currently no comprehensive set of rules for the tech sector.3 We are concerned that your company and other Big Tech donors are using your massive contributions to the inaugural fund to cozy up to the incoming Trump administration in an effort to avoid scrutiny, limit regulation, and buy favor. You have a clear and direct interest in obtaining favors from the incoming administration: your company and many other Big Tech donors are already the subject of ongoing federal investigations and regulatory actions. For example:
●Amazon, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, is the subject of multipleongoing regulatory actions, including multiple Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suitsrelated to anticonsumer and anticompetitive practices, a Department of Justice (DOJ)
1 Bloomberg, “Microsoft, Google, Adobe Give $1 Million Each to Trump Inaugural Fund,” Matt Day, January 9, 2025, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-09/microsoft-google-donate-1-million-to-trump-s-inaugural-fund.
2 Reuters, “FTC can reopen Meta privacy case despite $5 billion fine, court rules,” Mike Scarcella, March 13, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/ftc-can-reopen-meta-privacy-case-despite-5-bln-fine-court-rules-2024-03-13/; U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, “Justice Department Sues Google for MonopolizingDigital Advertising Technologies,” press release, January 24, 2023, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-google-monopolizing-digital-advertising-technologies.
3 Digital Consumer Protection Commission Act of 2023, S. 2597, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2597; Open App Markets Act, S. 2710, https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2710; AMERICA Act, S. 1073, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1073.
2
investigation into fraudulent schemes to obtain credit, and over 300 open National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) cases alleging unfair labor practices.4
●Apple CEO Tim Cook donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, while Apple is thesubject of a DOJ antitrust suit, as well as over 20 open NLRB cases related to unfair laborpractices.5
●Google, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, was found by a federalcourt to have an illegal monopoly over the online search market.6 Google has promised toappeal the ruling and the Trump administration’s DOJ will decide whether to contest theappeal. Google is also the subject of over 20 open NLRB cases related to unfair laborpractices.7
●Meta, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, is the subject of an ongoinginvestigation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) into the improper useof financial data and an FTC antitrust suit for monopolistic practices.8
●Microsoft has donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund and is the subject of multipleopen investigations by the FTC for anticompetitive practices.9
●OpenAI CEO Sam Altman personally donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund,while OpenAI is the subject of an open FTC investigation for consumer harm, and anSEC investigation for misleading investors.10
●Uber donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, along with an additional $1 millionfrom Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. The company is the subject of an ongoing FTCinvestigation for predatory practices.11
It is critical that federal regulators continue to evenhandedly apply competition, consumer protection, anti-discrimination laws and any other rule or law that applies to your company. But the industry’s efforts suggest that Big Tech companies are trying to curry favor and skirt the rules. This would be good for billionaire tech executives, but it is bad for America: if left unchecked, Big Tech monopolies will threaten consumers’ rights, run roughshod over workers, and squash competition while stifling innovation.
These donations raise questions about corruption and the influence of corporate money on the Trump administration, and Congress and the public deserve answers. Therefore, we ask that you provide responses to the following questions by January 31st, 2025:
1.When and under what circumstances did your company decide to make thesecontributions to the Trump inaugural fund?
4 Public Citizen, “Corporate Enforcement Tracker,” January 10, 2025, https://www.citizen.org/article/corporate-enforcement-trump-tracker.
5 Id.
6 Associated Press, “US regulators seek to break up Google, forcing Chrome sale as part of monopoly punishment,” Michael Liedtke, November 21, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/google-search-monopoly-penalty-justice-department-84e07fec51c5c59751d846118cb900a7.
7 Public Citizen, “Corporate Enforcement Tracker,” January 10, 2025, https://www.citizen.org/article/corporate-enforcement-trump-tracker
8 Id.
9 Id.
10 Id.
11 Id.
3
2.What is your rationale for these contributions?
3.Which individuals within the company chose to make these donations?
4.Was the Board informed of these plans, and if so, did they provide affirmative consent todo so? Did your company inform shareholders of plans to make these donations?
5.Did officials with the company have any communications about these donations withmembers of the Trump Transition team or other associates of President Trump? If so,please list all such communications, including the time of the conversation, theparticipants, and the nature of any communication.
We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Warren
United States Senator
Michael F. Bennet
United States Senator
January 17, 2025 Sam Altman Chief Executive Officer OpenAI Headquarters 3180 18th Street, Suite 100 San Francisco, CA 94110 Dear Mr. Altman, In the two months since the election, Big Tech companies including OpenAI have made million-dollar gifts to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund in what appears to be an effort to influence and sway the actions and policies of the incoming administration. Specifically, on December 13th, 2024 reporting confirmed your intention to personally donate $1 million to the inaugural fund.1 Big Tech companies have come under increased scrutiny from federal regulators for antitrust violations, violations of privacy, and harms to workers, consumers, and competition.2 At the same time, lawmakers in both parties have voiced support for regulating tech platforms, in recognition that there is currently no comprehensive set of rules for the tech sector.3 We are concerned that your company and other Big Tech donors are using your massive contributions to the inaugural fund to cozy up to the incoming Trump administration in an effort to avoid scrutiny, limit regulation, and buy favor. You have a clear and direct interest in obtaining favors from the incoming administration: your company and many other Big Tech donors are already the subject of ongoing federal investigations and regulatory actions. For example:
●Amazon, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, is the subject of multipleongoing regulatory actions, including multiple Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suitsrelated to anticonsumer and anticompetitive practices, a Department of Justice (DOJ)
1 Associated Press, “OpenAI’s Altman will donate $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund,” Sarah Parvini, December 13, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/sam-altman-donald-trump-openai-3b7a87037f3718eb3edc73e94be8a61a.
2 Reuters, “FTC can reopen Meta privacy case despite $5 billion fine, court rules,” Mike Scarcella, March 13, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/ftc-can-reopen-meta-privacy-case-despite-5-bln-fine-court-rules-2024-03-13/; U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, “Justice Department Sues Google for MonopolizingDigital Advertising Technologies,” press release, January 24, 2023, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-google-monopolizing-digital-advertising-technologies.
3 Digital Consumer Protection Commission Act of 2023, S. 2597, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2597; Open App Markets Act, S. 2710, https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2710; AMERICA Act, S. 1073, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1073.
2
investigation into fraudulent schemes to obtain credit, and over 300 open National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) cases alleging unfair labor practices.4
● Apple CEO Tim Cook donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, while Apple is the subject of a DOJ antitrust suit, as well as over 20 open NLRB cases related to unfair labor practices.5
● Google, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, was found by a federal court to have an illegal monopoly over the online search market.6 Google has promised to appeal the ruling and the Trump administration’s DOJ will decide whether to contest the appeal. Google is also the subject of over 20 open NLRB cases related to unfair labor practices.7
● Meta, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) into the improper use of financial data and an FTC antitrust suit for monopolistic practices.8
● Microsoft has donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund and is the subject of multiple open investigations by the FTC for anticompetitive practices.9
● OpenAI CEO Sam Altman personally donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, while OpenAI is the subject of an open FTC investigation for consumer harm, and an SEC investigation for misleading investors.10
● Uber donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, along with an additional $1 million from Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. The company is the subject of an ongoing FTC investigation for predatory practices.11
It is critical that federal regulators continue to evenhandedly apply competition, consumer protection, anti-discrimination laws and any other rule or law that applies to your company. But the industry’s efforts suggest that Big Tech companies are trying to curry favor and skirt the rules. This would be good for billionaire tech executives, but it is bad for America: if left unchecked, Big Tech monopolies will threaten consumers’ rights, run roughshod over workers, and squash competition while stifling innovation.
These donations raise questions about corruption and the influence of corporate money on the Trump administration, and Congress and the public deserve answers. Therefore, we ask that you provide responses to the following questions by January 31st, 2025:
1. When and under what circumstances did your company decide to make these contributions to the Trump inaugural fund?
4 Public Citizen, “Corporate Enforcement Tracker,” January 10, 2025, https://www.citizen.org/article/corporate-enforcement-trump-tracker.
5 Id.
6 Associated Press, “US regulators seek to break up Google, forcing Chrome sale as part of monopoly punishment,” Michael Liedtke, November 21, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/google-search-monopoly-penalty-justice-department-84e07fec51c5c59751d846118cb900a7.
7 Public Citizen, “Corporate Enforcement Tracker,” January 10, 2025, https://www.citizen.org/article/corporate-enforcement-trump-tracker
8 Id.
9 Id.
10 Id.
11 Id.
3
2.What is your rationale for these contributions?
3.Which individuals within the company chose to make these donations?
4.Was the Board informed of these plans, and if so, did they provide affirmative consent todo so? Did your company inform shareholders of plans to make these donations?
5.Did officials with the company have any communications about these donations withmembers of the Trump Transition team or other associates of President Trump? If so,please list all such communications, including the time of the conversation, theparticipants, and the nature of any communication.
We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Warren
United States Senator
Michael F. Bennet
United States Senator
January 17, 2025 Dara Khosrowshahi Chief Executive Officer Uber Technologies Inc. 1725 3rd Street San Francisco, CA 94158 Dear Mr. Khosrowshahi, In the two months since the election, Big Tech companies including Uber have made million-dollar gifts to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund in what appears to be an effort to influence and sway the actions and policies of the incoming administration. Specifically, on December 17th, 2024 a company spokesperson confirmed that your corporate donation of $1 million and your personal donation of $1 million were made to the inaugural fund.1 Big Tech companies have come under increased scrutiny from federal regulators for antitrust violations, violations of privacy, and harms to workers, consumers, and competition.2 At the same time, lawmakers in both parties have voiced support for regulating tech platforms, in recognition that there is currently no comprehensive set of rules for the tech sector.3 We are concerned that your company and other Big Tech donors are using your massive contributions to the inaugural fund to cozy up to the incoming Trump administration in an effort to avoid scrutiny, limit regulation, and buy favor. You have a clear and direct interest in obtaining favors from the incoming administration: your company and many other Big Tech donors are already the subject of ongoing federal investigations and regulatory actions. For example:
●Amazon, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, is the subject of multipleongoing regulatory actions, including multiple Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suitsrelated to anticonsumer and anticompetitive practices, a Department of Justice (DOJ)
1 The Wall Street Journal, “Exclusive: Uber and Its CEO Khosrowshahi Each Give $1 Million to Trump Inauguration,” Preetika Rana, December 17, 2024, https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-dow-sp500-nasdaq-live-12-17-2024/card/uber-and-its-ceo-khosrowshahi-each-give-1-million-to-trump-inauguration-ljEyNPvUB6xTr6iA2mpE.
2 Reuters, “FTC can reopen Meta privacy case despite $5 billion fine, court rules,” Mike Scarcella, March 13, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/ftc-can-reopen-meta-privacy-case-despite-5-bln-fine-court-rules-2024-03-13/; U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, “Justice Department Sues Google for MonopolizingDigital Advertising Technologies,” press release, January 24, 2023, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-google-monopolizing-digital-advertising-technologies.
3 Digital Consumer Protection Commission Act of 2023, S. 2597, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2597; Open App Markets Act, S. 2710, https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2710; AMERICA Act, S. 1073, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1073.
2
investigation into fraudulent schemes to obtain credit, and over 300 open National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) cases alleging unfair labor practices.4
● Apple CEO Tim Cook donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, while Apple is the subject of a DOJ antitrust suit, as well as over 20 open NLRB cases related to unfair labor practices.5
● Google, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, was found by a federal court to have an illegal monopoly over the online search market.6 Google has promised to appeal the ruling and the Trump administration’s DOJ will decide whether to contest the appeal. Google is also the subject of over 20 open NLRB cases related to unfair labor practices.7
● Meta, which donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) into the improper use of financial data and an FTC antitrust suit for monopolistic practices.8
● Microsoft has donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund and is the subject of multiple open investigations by the FTC for anticompetitive practices.9
● OpenAI CEO Sam Altman personally donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, while OpenAI is the subject of an open FTC investigation for consumer harm, and an SEC investigation for misleading investors.10
● Uber donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, along with an additional $1 million from Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. The company is the subject of an ongoing FTC investigation for predatory practices.11
It is critical that federal regulators continue to evenhandedly apply competition, consumer protection, anti-discrimination laws and any other rule or law that applies to your company. But the industry’s efforts suggest that Big Tech companies are trying to curry favor and skirt the rules. This would be good for billionaire tech executives, but it is bad for America: if left unchecked, Big Tech monopolies will threaten consumers’ rights, run roughshod over workers, and squash competition while stifling innovation.
These donations raise questions about corruption and the influence of corporate money on the Trump administration, and Congress and the public deserve answers. Therefore, we ask that you provide responses to the following questions by January 31st, 2025:
1. When and under what circumstances did your company decide to make these contributions to the Trump inaugural fund?
4 Public Citizen, “Corporate Enforcement Tracker,” January 10, 2025, https://www.citizen.org/article/corporate-enforcement-trump-tracker.
5 Id.
6 Associated Press, “US regulators seek to break up Google, forcing Chrome sale as part of monopoly punishment,” Michael Liedtke, November 21, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/google-search-monopoly-penalty-justice-department-84e07fec51c5c59751d846118cb900a7.
7 Public Citizen, “Corporate Enforcement Tracker,” January 10, 2025, https://www.citizen.org/article/corporate-enforcement-trump-tracker
8 Id.
9 Id.
10 Id.
11 Id.
3
2.What is your rationale for these contributions?
3.Which individuals within the company chose to make these donations?
4.Was the Board informed of these plans, and if so, did they provide affirmative consent todo so? Did your company inform shareholders of plans to make these donations?
5.Did officials with the company have any communications about these donations withmembers of the Trump Transition team or other associates of President Trump? If so,please list all such communications, including the time of the conversation, theparticipants, and the nature of any communication.
We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Warren
United States Senator
Michael F. Bennet
United States Senator
Scumbags and I find the particular partisan and civil rights violating politician associated with his disgraceful.
Agree. I require receipts!
It doesn’t matter what you want to refer to Trump as, he has still done more for America and American people than any president since Reagan...
It doesn’t matter what you want to refer to Trump as, he has still done more for America and American people than any president since Reagan...
This can’t be legal.
Trump had 4 years to mull over the mistakes he made in his first term and he has planned on how he would correct them in his current term. It’s a do-over that we often wish we had but never did.
I think the four years of Biden focused him and made him more effective.
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