Donald Trump

YouTube settled a lawsuit with Donald Trump for $24.5 million over his 2021 account suspension following the January 6th Capitol riots. The settlement, which doesn’t admit liability, follows similar payouts from Meta and X. The lawsuits, alleging censorship, sparked debate on free speech versus content moderation. Some analysts view the settlements as preemptive measures against potential regulatory scrutiny during Trump’s second term, especially given Google’s existing challenges and congressional concerns about potential quid-pro-quo arrangements. The financial burden of content moderation for tech firms is also highlighted.

Donald Trump publicly urged Microsoft to fire Lisa Monaco, citing unsubstantiated security risks and her past role as Deputy Attorney General under Biden. Trump alleges Monaco is a threat to U.S. National Security due to Microsoft’s government contracts, claiming she lacks security clearances. Previously, Microsoft pledged $3.1B in cloud cost savings for government agencies. Trump’s demand highlights the politicization of tech, raises questions about former officials’ influence, and underscores Microsoft’s critical role in national security through its cloud services.

The Trump administration has introduced a $100,000 fee for each new H-1B visa application, effective Sunday. This aims to generate revenue and encourage companies to hire American workers. Renewals and existing visa holders are exempt, though exceptions exist for immigrants essential to national interest. The tech and finance sectors heavily utilize H-1B visas, particularly for STEM roles, citing talent shortages. Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta are top sponsors. The move sparks debate about its impact on the U.S. economy and the recruitment of skilled foreign workers.

Democratic lawmakers are scrutinizing David Sacks’ role as a special advisor to President Trump on crypto and AI, questioning his compliance with Special Government Employee (SGE) regulations, particularly the 130-day time limit. Senators Warren and Stansbury demand transparency regarding Sacks’s time in office, alleging potential conflicts of interest as the administration implements new crypto legislation. Critics worry Sacks’s private sector activities could unduly influence policy decisions, despite his disclosure of selling over $200 million in digital assets before assuming his role. The inquiry reflects broader concerns about ethical standards and potential regulatory capture.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated President Trump’s threat to ban TikTok significantly influenced reaching a framework agreement with China. Trump’s willingness to “let TikTok go dark” underscored the prioritization of national security. While ByteDance faces a September 17 deadline to divest its U.S. operations, negotiations stalled after new tariffs were imposed. The emerging TikTok deal, focused on curtailing potentially risky activities, may signal a turning point in strained U.S.-China relations, with discussions between Trump and Xi Jinping anticipated to finalize the agreement.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang will reportedly join President Trump on a state visit to the U.K., potentially alongside other tech leaders. This follows Nvidia’s increased engagement with the Trump administration amidst concerns about access to the Chinese market for its AI chips. Huang emphasizes that allowing Nvidia to export to China will bolster U.S. AI dominance and national security. Nvidia is seeking licenses to sell its Blackwell series chips to China, making the U.K. visit a potentially crucial opportunity for negotiations. The company anticipates selling up to $5 billion of H20 chips this quarter, depending on geopolitics.

President Trump threatens a Section 301 trade investigation against the EU in response to “discriminatory fines” levied on U.S. tech giants Google and Apple. This follows the EU’s antitrust fine of nearly $3.5 billion on Google and ongoing scrutiny of Apple’s tax practices, including a $14 billion back tax bill in Ireland. Trump argues the EU unfairly penalizes American companies, impacting U.S. investments and jobs, and vows to nullify these penalties. The move could escalate trade tensions and impact the tech sector.

President Trump reiterated his intention to impose tariffs on semiconductor imports from companies not establishing or expanding U.S. manufacturing. At a White House dinner with tech leaders like Apple’s Tim Cook and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Trump indicated companies investing domestically, like Apple, might be exempt. This follows previous tariff threats and aligns with the U.S. push to onshore semiconductor production, incentivized by the CHIPS Act. While details remain unclear, the event highlights the role of tech in shaping economic policy, with AI also a key discussion point.

President Trump will host a dinner with tech and business leaders, including Zuckerberg, Cook, Gates, and Altman, at the White House to discuss policy initiatives and partnerships. Following a White House AI event hosted by the First Lady, the meeting aims to strengthen ties between the administration and the tech sector, focusing on AI and the digital economy. Key figures from OpenAI, Google, Palantir, and other companies are invited. Tesla’s Elon Musk is a notable absence. David Sacks and Jared Isaacman are also slated to attend.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement has drawn reaction from Donald Trump, despite Swift’s past criticism of the former president. Trump offered well wishes, and Swift and Kelce announced the news via social media with a playful caption. Sources indicate Swift sought a partner with career passion and strong self-awareness, qualities found in Kelce.