Exclusive: Most Americans are skeptical of Trump's Big Tech ties
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A majority of registered voters are concerned about President Trump's close relationships with Big Tech companies like Google, Apple, Meta, Amazon and OpenAI, according to a new survey shared first with Axios.
Why it matters: Most voters say that tech companies wield too much influence in Washington amid Trump's full-throated embrace of AI and cozy ties with the industry.
What's inside: 49% say they think that Trump is carrying out a pro-Big Tech agenda when he makes AI policies, according to the poll from Morning Consult and nonprofit advocacy group Tech Oversight Project.
- Just 13% of those polled say they believe that families or workers benefit the most.
- 61% of those polled think Big Tech has too much D.C. policy influence.
Most Americans also say that states should be able to pass their own AI laws and regulations and oppose preemption from the federal government.
- 57% of those polled support states making their own regulations to address local needs and concerns about AI.
- 24% are in favor of prohibiting states from passing laws on AI so that companies don't face a patchwork of rules. 18% told pollsters they weren't sure.
What they're saying: "Big Tech giants spent hundreds of millions to fund Donald Trump's campaign apparatus and White House ballroom, and that cozy relationship is finally catching up to Trump," said Sacha Haworth, executive director of the Tech Oversight Project.
- "If you read between the lines, the American people are getting ready to blame Trump for failing to protect families and workers."
Other notable numbers: 69% think AI will eliminate or reduce opportunities for jobs and 45% think it will make the economy worse.
- 51% think AI will worsen the quality of civil discourse.
Methodology: 1,800 registered voters were surveyed Dec. 17-19.
- Results have a margin of error of ±2 percentage points.
