CNN's Jake Tapper voiced apprehension regarding the increasing prevalence of deepfakes and misinformation in the political landscape under President Trump, particularly in light of the significant presence of tech industry leaders at his inauguration. This discussion arose as prominent figures like Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Tesla founder Elon Musk, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai were seen attending the event.

Tapper emphasized the substantial influence these individuals hold over information dissemination, highlighting their pivotal role in determining what constitutes truth and falsehood in the digital age. He expressed concern about their potential impact on public perception and understanding over the next four years.

CNN's Jake Tapper speaks on CNN on Jan. 12, 2025. (Screenshot/CNN)

Expanding on Tapper's concerns, CNN's Anderson Cooper broadened the scope to encompass the global implications of this tech influence, noting their role as gatekeepers of information for the entire world. CNN's Van Jones further underscored the historical significance of the tech leaders' attendance, pointing out their previous support for the Democratic Party and the shift in their political alignment.

From left, Priscilla Chan, Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Tesla CEO Elon Musk attend the inauguration of President Trump at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Jones attributed this shift to perceived missteps by the Biden administration, such as the lack of cryptocurrency regulations and a critical stance towards big business, alienating figures like Elon Musk, who previously leaned towards the Democratic Party. He argued that these actions led to the loss of Silicon Valley's support for the Democrats. The article also mentions Zuckerberg's recent announcement regarding the discontinuation of Facebook and Instagram's fact-checking program, opting for a community-based approach similar to X's system.