The Power of Optics: Tech Billionaires and Trump's Performative Presidency

Overview: This article delves into the symbolic yet calculated presence of tech titans at Donald Trump's inauguration, analyzing their mutual interests. I critique the display of this administration's performative alliances, and question the implications for public trust and the broader American populace.

Reflection 1

January 27th, 2025

On January 21st, 2025 Ross Barkan published a poignant opinion piece to the Trump Watch section of The Intelligencer, a politically centered subsection of New York Magazine. Within “Donald Trump Is a Weak President Who Acts Strong”, Barkan comprehensively analyzes the inauguration and the ample imagery displayed amidst the ceremony proceedings. Most notably, he highlights how the purposeful placement of attendees sends a distinct message to the public. The excerpt below encapsulates the essence of Barkan’s argument and serves as my basis for introspective thinking on this fascinating topic. 

“The inauguration, jammed into the Capitol Rotunda to dodge the horrific cold outside, made room for the men who collectively dictate so much of his daily life in America and the world: Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Tim Cook, and Sundar Pichai. Among them, there’s enough wealth to buy and destroy nations, strangle the internet in its entirety, and dictate how we communicate and what we shop for. For once, they were all sans their usual costumes, fitted awkwardly into dark suits, their eyes alight with opportunity. This is an administration, they no doubt believe, that is going to do business. They want the government to stop trying to regulate them. They want to see the Biden-era antitrust regime immolated. Whatever influence corporate America has enjoyed over the last 30 years — and it’s a titanic amount — it’s not enough for the titans of the tech industry. They crave total deference, and they just might get it.”

• Ross Barkan, a political columnist for the Intelligencer, New York Magazine 

The 47th inauguration of the President of the United States was not simply the carrying out of an integral tradition or a formal procession. Beyond the cursory level, the morning of January 20th provided invaluable foresight for the American public into the future of the Trump administration. The large volume of attendees among the top 1% reinforced and upheld a narrative that has been spiraling throughout the media for the better part of a decade. Through calculated efforts, Donald Trump has successfully obtained the support and endorsement of America’s wealthiest tech billionaires. I believe this requited alignment reflects his administration’s performative approach to government, presenting an image of strength and progress while prioritizing deregulation, enabling these moguls to consolidate their power while leaving the average American increasingly disillusioned and unrepresented. 

At face value, their endorsement, financial support, and sheer presence send a strong message to Americans. Most notably, the millions of highly impressionable people who have grown to idealize this group of entrepreneurs who have defined technological innovation in the 21st century. Many have seen the swift onset of support that began with Elon Musk's ascendence to the forefront of Trump's campaign this past fall. Since his victory, Musk's peers have demonstrated their stance in support of the Trump administration; a phenomenon that caught many Americans by surprise, myself included. When Americans witness people whom they deeply respect and admire openly supporting a political party, we have seen two outcomes. Outward celebrity endorsement proved to be a successful tactic for the Harris Walz ticket, however, we are seeing that subtle support through presence alone carries far more power and influence. 

Nonetheless, beneath their facade of support lies the probable truth. These billionaires depend on administrative leniency ameliorating rigid regulation, and alleviating taxes to thrive. Trump, a president who has faced ample public scrutiny, not to mention conviction on 34 felony counts, has a perpetual need to assert his viability on the international stage. These tech billionaires have a perpetual need to expand the scope and scale of their entrepreneurial success. It is not too difficult to read between the lines, their relationship is mutually beneficial. So where does that leave the other 99% of Americans, how is the general public supposed to develop faith and trust in this administration when our president is so performative?

The presence of tech titans like Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Elon Musk of Tesla, Starlink, Space X and X, as well as Sundar Pichai of Google and Alphabet at Trump’s inauguration is not merely symbolic. Rather, I believe that their collective attendance is a calculated display of mutual interests between the president and these moguls. For Trump, their endorsement represents an opportunity to legitimize his identity and bolster his fragile image as a leader capable of fostering economic innovation and growth. For the tech billionaires, the relationship is equally transactional. They seek a government that minimizes interference, lowers taxes, and dismantles regulations that curb their monopolistic tendencies. This convergence of interests creates an illusion of unity and strength, though it is a deception grounded in self-interest. 

On behalf of the broader population, I am deeply troubled by the prospective ramifications of this mutually beneficial relationship. When the government prioritizes corporate deference over corporate accountability, the effect is felt most outstandingly by the public. When the top 1% of individuals are given primary delegation, the interests of the 99% are sidelined in favor of policies that amplify wealth disparity and stifle competition. The facade of the partnership between the Trump administration and the tech billionaires risks eroding public trust, as ordinary citizens grapple with the reality that their government appears more invested in serving a select group of economic elites. This performative alliance underscores a growing divide between the rhetoric of prosperity and the lived experiences of the majority. In turn, Americans are left to question the integrity of their President. 

We are at the precipice of a new era in American politics. The question is, will Trump be able to place policy and progress at the forefront of his administrative agenda, or will power and politics behind closed doors take precedence? If the ladder is true, it is only a matter of time until the entirety of America comes to terms with the reality of this administration's morals, and the performative facade becomes unmasked. Only time will tell. 

Citation: 

Barkan, Ross. “Donald Trump Is a Weak President Who Acts Strong.” Intelligencer, 21 Jan. 2025, nymag.com/intelligencer/article/donald-trump-is-a-weak-president-who-acts-strong.html. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.

Questions:

How do you define "performative politics"? Do you think it's a new phenomenon, or has it always existed?

What is one recent public moment (speech, news appearance, image, social media post) that felt more performative than genuine to you? Why?

Do you think the internet and social media help us understand political figures more clearly, or do these platforms enable them to craft distinct images of themselves?

In this instance, do you think that the presence of these figures was intended to be symbolic in nature? Do you think that their presence has the potential to legitimize Trump to some degree among the minds of Americans?