Big Tech Gives Us the ‘Roman Salute’: Welcome to the Era of ‘Tech for Evil’
When people show you who they are, believe them.
Elon Musk, the emotionally unstable figure at the helm of multiple tech giants, has long supported far-right politics. So, when he turned to the crowd at Trump’s second inauguration, grunted, and performed what appeared to be a fascist salute, the reaction was as swift as it was polarising. The far-right cheered. The apologists came out in droves, dubbing it a ‘Roman salute’ or an ‘awkward gesture.’ But make no mistake: the straight-armed salute, fingers together, palm down, is one of the most recognisable white supremacist symbols. And Musk’s audience knew it.
Trump’s return to power marks a seismic shift for Silicon Valley. Once a bastion of performative progressivism, the era of rainbow-coloured logos, diversity pledges, and ambitious climate goals now seems like a distant memory. The tech sector that emerged triumphant in the 2010s during Obama’s time in office, positioning itself as a force for global good, has shed its idealistic facade. In its place is an industry bending to Trump’s will, fueled by crony capitalism and a thirst for profit.
From ‘Tech for Good’ to ‘Tech for Evil’
The contrast between Silicon Valley’s response to Trump’s first and second term elections could not be starker. A decade ago, tech leaders were aligning themselves with progressive ideals. Companies like Facebook and Google championed same-sex marriage, gender and race equality in the workplace, renewable energy, and immigration reform. Back then, Mark Zuckerberg was still the socially awkward entrepreneur in a hoodie, making grand speeches about ‘global community’ and a ‘more open and connected world.’
Zuckerberg’s 2017 Harvard commencement address encapsulated the zeitgeist. His generation, he claimed, saw themselves as ‘citizens of the world,’ tasked with expanding inclusiveness and tackling poverty and disease. He positioned Facebook as a tool to fight authoritarianism and nationalism. This vision was bolstered by close ties between Big Tech and the Obama administration, with figures like David Plouffe, Sheryl Sandberg and Eric Schmidt moving seamlessly between government and corporate spheres. Even as late as January 2021, Meta banned Trump from its platforms following the Capitol insurrection.
But by 2025, Zuckerberg’s transformation was complete. Gone was the idealistic rhetoric. Instead, the Meta CEO appeared on the Joe Rogan podcast sporting a longer hairstyle, a gold chain, and a $900,000 watch. He spoke of ‘masculine energy’ in the workplace, his passion for jiu-jitsu, and the merits of hunting. Fact-checkers? Scrapped. EU regulations? An affront to American tech. How the hell does this guy run a company and also now run a sub 20 minute 5km? This metamorphosis reflected a broader cultural shift in Silicon Valley, where commitments to social progress have been quietly abandoned.
A New Tech Oligarchy
Trump’s second term has unleashed a new wave of crony capitalism. Seven of Silicon Valley’s most powerful male CEOs were given front-row seats at the inauguration, a symbolic nod to their new status as Trump loyalists. The rewards for their political donations and support are clear: deregulation, lucrative defence contracts, and a hands-off approach to their environmental shortcomings. Peter Thiel, once one of the Valley’s few open hard-line conservatives, now seems less an outlier and more a harbinger of what was to come.
President Biden’s farewell address warned of the dangers posed by a ‘tech industrial complex,’ a new oligarchy wielding unprecedented power. Yet the irony is that the Obama-Biden administration’s laissez-faire approach to tech regulation laid the groundwork for this concentration of influence. Under Trump, this power is being weaponised to further his agenda, from manipulating recommendation algorithms to reshaping AI development for military applications.
The Price of Loyalty
Big Tech’s pivot toward authoritarianism is as much about self-preservation as ideology. Trump’s administration has made it clear: loyalty will be rewarded, dissent will be punished—CEOs who once championed diversity and globalism now parrot nationalist rhetoric and slash progressive initiatives. Companies like Amazon and Meta maintain their ‘green’ targets, but the penalties for missing them have vanished in a political climate that prioritises profit over accountability.
Musk’s antics on X, formerly Twitter, underscore this new reality. From amplifying conspiracy theories to silencing critics, the platform has become a playground for far-right propaganda. Meanwhile, tech giants race to corner the market on defence contracts, pivoting to energy-intensive AI products with military applications.
A Surrender to Trumpism
Steve Bannon, Trump’s former chief strategist, described Silicon Valley’s attendance at the inauguration as their ‘official surrender.’ And surrender they have. What remains to be seen is how far down this path they will march, hand in hand with Trump’s fascist supporters.
For the rest of us, the stakes are clear. The tech industry that once promised to connect and empower is now a tool of division and control. As this new era of ‘tech for evil’ unfolds, it’s time to take these people at their word and realise they have been pedalling an anti-worker, anti-environment and anti-progressive agenda this entire time.
Excellent summary James.