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What Effect Will Another Trump Presidency Have on Consumer Tech?

By Laura Tucker
Trump Presidency Effect Tech World

Much of the world was watching the results of the election for President of the United States this week. It wasn’t the result many were expecting. After the effect Donald Trump had eight years ago, what effect can we expect on the world of consumer tech throughout the next four years?

Upcoming Changes in the Tech World

The big tech companies that we deal with every day have taken their share of hits lately. Google has been hit with an antitrust suit, Apple upset Elon Musk, Apple and Google have been urged to drop the TikTok app by the FCC, and Adobe, Meta, Amazon and more have had their share of troubles as well.

But the next four years of a Trump reign could bring even more trouble. Perhaps that’s why many tech company CEOs hit social media to heap praise on Trump and congratulate him after his win.

Trump Presidency Effect Tech World Google
Image source: Unsplash

Trump has been threatening Google and Meta while campaigning. Meta Chief Mark Zuckerberg has been threatened with jail time, and Trump has also threatened to do something about the power of Google, upset about not showing in Search. But will social media remain the same if they all have to placate him? The FTC maybe also be dealing with a new leader if Trump fires the current one, which could be on the table.

However, the biggest change to tech consumers could be in the prices they pay for devices. The tech world was warned by Barclays a few months back that the industry could be hit the worst because of tariffs Trump is planning to deploy. In particular, he plans a 60% tariff on China. The money is certainly going to be reflected in the prices you pay for your devices.

How Will Trump Infuse Himself and Musk

Since we’re talking about the tech world, we also have to consider that Trump has his own social network that he began after being scolded and kicked off of Twitter. He started Truth Social, and the question is whether he will be allowed to remain in control of it.

Of course, Trump was eventually allowed back on Twitter, which has since been rebranded X after Elon Musk acquired the company. Musk was supportive of Trump and officially backed him as well. As president, will Trump find a place for Musk as a cabinet member?

Trump Presidency Effect Tech World Tesla
Image source: Unsplash

He has said that Musk, who is also the CEO of Tesla, would oversee a new government efficiency commission. He wants to use him to trim $2 trillion from the federal budget. Musk also heads up SpaceX, and he’s not happy about the government reviewing that business. Assumably, Musk would give himself more free reign.

But Trump is no friend of EVs, so this could cause a problem between the two. But will there be a conflict of interest for Musk, his multiple businesses, and his government role? It doesn’t seem likely that he would release his businesses for a government role, so it’s safe to assume you’ll still be able to shop Tesla for your next EV and continue to post on X.

Image credit: Unsplash

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Laura Tucker Avatar
Laura Tucker
Laura has spent more than 20 years writing news, reviews, and op-eds, with the majority of those years as an editor as well. She has exclusively used Apple products for the past 35 years. In addition to writing and editing at MTE, she also runs the site’s sponsored review program.

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