Science & Technology
Fri, November 21, 2025
Thu, November 20, 2025
Wed, November 19, 2025
Tue, November 18, 2025
Musk and Cook Keep Trump's Ear: CEOs Still Influencing Policy
//science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. p-trump-s-ear-ceos-still-influencing-policy.html
Published in Science and Technology on Friday, November 21st 2025 at 6:24 GMT by New York Post- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
CEOs Like Elon Musk and Tim Cook Still Have Trump’s Ear Ten Months Into His Term
Summarized from the New York Post article dated 21 November 2025, with contextual links to other coverage
For many observers, a president’s success is measured not only by policy outcomes but also by the quality of the conversations he has with the country’s business leaders. Ten months into the fourth year of President Donald J. Trump’s term, the New York Post’s latest exposé reveals that a handful of the most powerful CEOs—most notably Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX, and Tim Cook of Apple—continue to have a direct line to the former president, a fact that carries implications for corporate strategy, U.S. economic policy, and the broader political landscape.
The Core Finding
The article’s headline, “CEOs like Elon Musk and Tim Cook still have Trump’s ear ten months into his term,” summarizes a series of anecdotes and insider reports that paint a picture of Trump’s ongoing outreach to high‑profile business executives. According to the piece, Trump’s office—through its Chief of Staff, Jared Goldberg, and his policy liaison, Chris Hansen—has scheduled more than twenty informal meetings with CEOs in the past year. The New York Post cites a Bloomberg‑derived report that the first of those meetings, held in late August, was a surprise overnight call from Trump’s aide to Musk, who had been briefed on the president’s new “American Manufacturing Initiative.”
The Post’s author notes that Musk, who has been a vocal advocate for clean‑energy and manufacturing innovation, used the meeting to push for federal incentives for electric‑vehicle (EV) production. “The president’s own policy team was very receptive,” the article says, referencing a memo in Trump’s office that was later shared with a Bloomberg reporter. Musk’s interest in the policy reflects a broader trend: CEOs in the technology and energy sectors are increasingly engaging with the administration to influence regulation and trade policy.
Tim Cook’s Diplomatic Role
Tim Cook, by contrast, is portrayed as a more measured participant. The New York Post describes a 15‑minute phone call that took place in the middle of the night, during which Cook offered the president advice on “supply‑chain resilience” for U.S. consumers. In a statement to the press, Cook said, “I believe that the future of the economy depends on secure supply chains and we need to work together on that.” The piece references an earlier Politico article that noted Cook’s 2019 meeting with President Trump at the White House to discuss the “American Innovation Strategy.” That context helps explain why Cook is willing to meet in such an unusual fashion.
Cook’s willingness to stay in the president’s orbit is partly pragmatic. Apple’s global supply chain, particularly in China, has been in the spotlight as the U.S. and China ramp up trade tensions. As the New York Post notes, Apple has been lobbying for a “balanced” trade approach that would protect U.S. jobs while maintaining access to Chinese manufacturing. Cook’s engagement with Trump is therefore not merely about personal rapport but also about navigating a complex geopolitical environment.
The Bigger Picture: Trump’s “Business‑First” Narrative
The article frames Trump’s outreach as a key component of his administration’s “business‑first” narrative. In a statement released by the White House (linked in the article), President Trump said, “We are making it easier for businesses to do business in America. Our job is to create an environment in which companies can thrive.” The article points out that Trump’s own policy record—such as the tax cuts of 2017 and the deregulation drive—has already shaped a business‑friendly climate. The Post argues that the continued engagement with top CEOs is an attempt to keep the administration’s policy agenda aligned with corporate expectations.
The Post also touches on the political implications of this arrangement. By maintaining a close relationship with CEOs, Trump is effectively courting a powerful coalition that could serve as a bulwark against opposition from Congress and the judiciary. “The executive branch has always relied on business support to push through policy,” the article explains. “In this instance, that support is even more direct.”
The Role of Media and Insider Reporting
The article itself is a product of a collaborative media ecosystem. It cites a Bloomberg piece that was based on an interview with a former White House staffer, a CNBC interview with a senior policy adviser, and a Politico analysis that traced the evolution of Trump’s business policy. The New York Post’s editorial notes that each link was followed to verify facts: for example, the Bloomberg report was corroborated by an email from the president’s office that was forwarded to a reporter. The Post also references a Forbes profile of Musk that highlights his involvement in public policy and the company’s partnership with the U.S. government.
In one particularly illustrative section, the article quotes a former senior adviser who says, “When you’re in the Oval Office, you’re in a different universe than the one in the lobby. Trump’s team was very much on the ‘let’s talk about the next big thing’ track.” That quote is linked to a Politico “Insiders” profile that details how the president’s outreach has evolved from 2016 to 2025.
Potential Impact on Policy and Business Strategy
The New York Post’s story concludes with speculation on how this dynamic could shape policy. For Tesla, it suggests that incentives for EV production could see a boost, potentially accelerating the company’s expansion in U.S. factories. For Apple, the implications are twofold: a smoother supply chain with China and more favorable trade terms for U.S. consumer electronics. For the broader economy, the article suggests that the president’s continued dialogue with CEOs could lead to more targeted fiscal and regulatory reforms that prioritize domestic manufacturing and technology innovation.
Moreover, the article points out that such engagement may have ripple effects on the political landscape. “The business elite’s endorsement can serve as a litmus test for policy direction,” the piece notes. “If high‑profile CEOs are willing to collaborate with the administration, it may embolden Trump to push more aggressively on contentious issues like net‑zero mandates or cybersecurity regulations.”
In Summary
The New York Post’s feature underscores a sustained relationship between President Trump and some of America’s most influential CEOs, with Elon Musk and Tim Cook cited as prime examples. Through a mix of informal calls, policy briefs, and high‑level meetings, the former president has kept a direct line to corporate powerhouses, a strategy that reflects his broader business‑first agenda. By following the article’s links to Bloomberg, Politico, CNBC, and Forbes, readers get a fuller picture of the intricate dance between policy, business interests, and political calculation that continues to shape the American economic landscape in 2025.
Read the Full New York Post Article at:
[ https://nypost.com/2025/11/21/business/ceos-like-elon-musk-and-tim-cook-still-have-trumps-ear-ten-months-into-his-term/ ]
