Big tech leaders, once celebrated as disruptors, now operate as gatekeepers, shaping governance, public opinion, and the very fabric of democracy.
By Shukoor Ahmed
The inauguration of President Trump today underscores many shifts in American society, but perhaps none are as striking as the attendance of big tech CEOs. Their presence signals a profound change in how corporate America aligns itself with political power, raising pressing questions about the influence of technology conglomerates on governance and democracy.
Reflecting on my arrival in the U.S. in 1988, I recall the inauguration of George H.W. Bush as the 41st President of the United States. At that time, America’s wealthiest figures — Warren Buffett, Sam Walton, Ted Turner, and Ross Perot — amassed fortunes in industries largely independent of government reliance. Fast forward to 2025, and the four richest Americans — Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Ellison — are predominantly tech entrepreneurs whose wealth is often intertwined with government contracts, subsidies, and policies.
This evolution highlights more than just economic progress; it signals the consolidation of power, erosion of competition, and the rise of an oligarchic class that threatens America’s democratic foundations.
As someone with 25 years of experience building platforms like State Democracy to empower voters and democratize resources, I’ve witnessed technology’s potential for transformative change. Yet, my own journey as CEO of V-Empower, Inc. — marked by funding challenges, missed opportunities, and missteps — has taught me that the promise of technology is easily overshadowed when innovation is monopolized by a select few.
The actions of today’s tech leaders reveal troubling patterns:
1. Elon Musk: Innovator or monopoly protector?
While Musk is celebrated for Tesla and SpaceX, his companies have thrived on substantial government subsidies. His advocacy for tariffs against competitors like BYD reflects a focus on market dominance rather than healthy competition. Musk’s acquisition of X (formerly Twitter) adds another layer of concern, hinting at a desire to control the flow of information. Consumers must be vigilant, supporting diverse manufacturers and platforms that challenge Musk’s growing influence.
2. Jeff Bezos: Visionary or Power Broker?
I once admired Jeff Bezos for his remarkable journey in building Amazon from scratch. However, as Amazon expanded into a corporate giant with AWS and Blue Origin, Bezos’s increasing reliance on government contracts raised concerns about his growing influence in public policy. His 2013 acquisition of The Washington Post further complicated his role as both a business magnate and a media owner.
While the Post remains a respected voice in journalism, its frequent endorsements of candidates — from governors to school board members — have cast doubt on its objectivity. As a political activist, I’ve spent over a decade supporting millennial candidates who dared to challenge the incumbents endorsed by the Post. This firsthand experience highlighted how such endorsements can skew public perception and stifle fresh perspectives.
Bezos’s decision not to endorse a presidential candidate during a critical election year further eroded my respect for his vision. Frustrated by this lack of leadership, I chose to cancel my subscription in protest.
Media should exist to empower citizens with unbiased information—not to manipulate public opinion or serve the interests of the powerful.
3. Mark Zuckerberg: The Quiet Consolidator
Mark Zuckerberg’s strategic acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp have cemented Meta’s dominance in social media. While I respect his entrepreneurial achievements, his willingness to bow to government pressure and manipulate policies is deeply concerning. Rather than defending free expression, Zuckerberg has embraced censorship under the pretext of combating misinformation, effectively silencing diverse perspectives.
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If he disagreed with the Biden administration’s pressure during COVID-19 to enforce censorship, he should have taken a stand then. Instead, his actions highlight a troubling alignment with power rather than a commitment to principles.
As a consumer, I’ve chosen to stop spending on Facebook ads and encourage others to support platforms that value transparency, fairness, and genuine freedom of expression.
Big tech leaders, once celebrated as disruptors, now operate as gatekeepers, shaping governance, public opinion, and the very fabric of democracy. Their growing wealth and influence come at the expense of competition, equity, and public welfare, threatening the core American ideals of fairness and opportunity.
Having run for office against entrenched incumbents and supported millennial challengers, I find this shift deeply concerning. The cozy relationship between big tech and political power risks alienating Americans and undermining the democratic principles that have long defined this nation.
Consumer and Citizen Responsibility
Reining in the unchecked power of big tech requires collective action. As consumers, investors, and citizens, we must:
- Support competition by choosing alternatives to monopolistic platforms.
- Demand dignity for workers, advocating fair compensation in the gig economy.
- Prioritize privacy by opting for platforms that protect user data.
- Foster innovation by investing in and encouraging emerging disruptors.
By aligning our spending and advocacy with these principles, we can counteract the concentration of wealth and power. Technology should uplift all Americans, not just a privileged few.
As a tech entrepreneur and political activist, I was once captivated by these CEOs and their groundbreaking achievements. Today, their actions reflect a troubling shift toward self-preservation and consolidation. It’s up to us to demand better—to insist that technology companies serve as forces for good, fostering competition, protecting privacy, and supporting democracy.
If we fail to challenge the oligarchic tendencies of big tech, we risk losing not only economic freedom but also the democratic ideals that define America. The time to act is now.
This post was originally published on here
