The impact of the recent victory of Donald Trump in the presidential elections on the future of TikTok, the beleaguered social media platform owned by China, is currently the subject of widespread speculation. With a federal ban lingering over its head, TikTok might find rescue in the unexpected yet familiar figure of Trump. Trump’s previous stance against TikTok marked his prior tenure, as he launched efforts to banish the platform, which dwindled due to his unsuccessful re-election bid in 2020.
A recent conversation between President-elect Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shed new light on Trump’s alliances and future political motivations. Notably, the president-elect’s exemplary relationship with one of his most significant campaign contributors might shape the structure of his prospective cabinet. Replicating this cozy alignment could see the influential donor being considered for future positions within the incoming administration.
Trump’s election victory might bring about a seismic shift in the stringent AI policies of his predecessor, Joe Biden. With Republicans consolidally holding sway over the Senate and possibly the House, the emerging political landscape could witness a radical overhaul. Trump’s preference to replace and eradicate existing AI legislations with a more laissez-faire approach has been well-documented.
Biden’s misguided AI policies, sealed with an executive order known as the AI Executive Order, were force-fed onto the governmental stage in October 2023. However, Trump has frequently voiced his intent to obliterate this framework as soon as possible following his inauguration, aligning his views with influential figures who critique excessively stringent regulation.
The Trump administration’s potential impacts on Elon Musk, the prominent CEO of corporations such as Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, are a hot topic for discussion post-election. Despite his firms’ performance being potentially affected by Trump’s well-known skepticism towards electric vehicles and the climate crisis, Musk took drastic measures to back Trump in this election. His massive wealth and influence were crucial to shaping the electoral outcome.
Musk’s support for Trump stands in stark contrast to their relations several years ago. During Trump’s initial tenure, Musk was a member of two advisory councils but opted to step down following Trump’s questionable decision to exit the Paris climate agreements. This distinct pivot reveals a shift towards the more conservative side that might carry significant future implications.