Trump’s Unfiltered Take on Tech Titans: From Praise to Personal Jabs
In a candid interview, former US President Donald Trump offered sharp, personal assessments of top tech CEOs, boasting he made Apple’s Tim Cook “very rich” while declaring “I can’t stand him.” The remarks, made to Bloomberg Businessweek, reveal Trump’s blend of business critique and personal rivalry as he campaigns for the presidency.
Key Takeaways
- Trump praised Tim Cook as a “great executive” but said, “I can’t stand him,” while claiming credit for his wealth.
- He expressed support for Elon Musk but questioned his purchase of Twitter (now X) as an overpay.
- Trump called Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg a “nasty son of a bitch” but acknowledged such figures “do very well.”
- He broadly criticized electric vehicles and President Biden’s EV policies as a “disaster.”
On Apple’s Tim Cook: ‘I Made Him Very Rich’
Trump’s comments on Apple CEO Tim Cook were a mix of professional credit and personal disdain. “Tim Cook is a great executive because he calls me and others call me,” Trump said. He then added, “But Tim Cook—I can’t stand him. He’s a nice guy, but I can’t stand him.” Trump boasted about his role, claiming, “I made him rich. With the taxes and all of the things I did, I made him very rich.”
Elon Musk: A ‘Brilliant’ Suppressor Who ‘Paid Too Much’
The former president was warmer towards Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. “Elon Musk is a guy that—he’s a supporter. I like him. I’ve always liked him,” Trump stated. He praised Musk’s intelligence but was critical of his acquisition: “He paid too much for Twitter, but he wanted to do it. I think he’s a brilliant guy… he’s got a lot of talent.”
Mark Zuckerberg: A ‘Nasty’ Rival
Trump’s tone turned rivalrous when discussing Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg. “Zuckerberg, I don’t know. He’s a hard one to figure,” he remarked, referencing Zuckerberg’s interest in martial arts. “I hear he’s a great fighter… I think he’s a nasty son of a bitch, but that’s okay. I know a lot of nasty sons of bitches. They do very well.”
Broader Swipes at EVs and Biden
Trump also used the interview to attack broader and electric vehicles. “The electric car is a disaster. They don’t go far. They cost too much. And Biden wants to have all electric cars. It’s crazy,” he said.
The interview underscores Trump’s strategy of combining personal branding, business criticism, and political attacks as the election approaches.
