Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently expressed astonishment at the changing political landscape of Silicon Valley, noting its unexpected shift towards the right. In an interview with The New York Times, Gates remarked, "I've always perceived Silicon Valley as left-leaning. The emergence of a substantial right-of-center presence is quite surprising." Gates, a supporter of former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, also confirmed a meeting with President Trump following the election. He conveyed his intention to collaborate with the current administration, mirroring his approach during the previous Trump presidency, stating, "I plan to engage with this administration as effectively as possible, just as I did before."

Gates' meeting with the president left a positive impression. In a discussion with The Wall Street Journal, Gates shared his observation of an energized President Trump eager to foster innovation. He added, "Honestly, I was impressed by his keen interest in the topics I raised."

The tech mogul also discussed the evolving role of technology companies, acknowledging both the positive and negative aspects. "The internet's ability to share information has led to remarkable progress," Gates stated, before reflecting on platforms like Facebook and Twitter. "However, there are downsides that I admit I didn't foresee."

The New York Times reported Gates' substantial $50 million contribution to Future Forward, a key organization backing Harris's campaign.

The substantial presence of tech leaders at President Trump's inauguration raised eyebrows. MSNBC host Rachel Maddow questioned the prominent placement of wealthy tech figures alongside cabinet nominees and family members. Apple CEO Tim Cook was notably seated near Trump's Homeland Security Secretary nominee, Kristi Noem. Amazon, under Jeff Bezos, and Meta each contributed $1 million to Trump's inaugural events.

Vice President JD Vance recently emphasized that Big Tech remains under scrutiny. In an interview, Vance stated that these companies have a choice: respect Americans' constitutional rights and cease censorship, or face consequences from the Trump administration. He reiterated the administration's stance on the excessive power wielded by Big Tech, hinting at potential actions if these companies fail to comply.

Image: Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates (Justin Tallis - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Image: President Donald Trump (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/Bloomberg via)