Majority of Americans Express Distrust of Trump's Big Tech Relationships, Poll Shows

A new Axios-Morning Consult poll shows that 58% of American voters distrust Trump's relationships with Big Tech executives, a finding that underscores the complex political dynamics surrounding the technology industry ahead of the 2024 election.

The poll, conducted among 2,204 registered voters in late January, found that only 29% of respondents trust Trump to handle technology policy fairly, while 13% remain uncertain. The skepticism spans party lines, though it's most pronounced among Democrats (82% distrust) and independents (61% distrust). Even among Republican voters, 38% expressed distrust of his Big Tech ties.

The Numbers Behind the Skepticism

The survey reveals specific concerns driving this distrust. When asked about potential conflicts of interest, 64% of voters believe Trump would favor tech companies that provide him with favorable treatment or platform access. This concern reflects the ongoing tension between Trump's criticism of "biased" tech platforms and his simultaneous cultivation of relationships with industry leaders.

The financial stakes add another layer to public perception. Trump's social media company, Trump Media & Technology Group, relies heavily on technology infrastructure providers, while his campaign has accepted donations from prominent tech investors. This creates a perception problem that 71% of respondents identified as a "significant" or "very significant" conflict.

Industry Context

The poll results land as tech regulation emerges as a key campaign issue. Trump has promised to repeal Section 230 protections that shield platforms from liability for user content, yet he has also criticized antitrust enforcement against tech companies. This dual stance has created confusion among voters about his actual policy positions.

Major tech companies have been positioning themselves for potential policy shifts. Meta, Google, and Amazon have all engaged with Trump's campaign and transition teams, according to filings, while simultaneously facing ongoing antitrust cases from federal regulators. The industry spent over $70 million on lobbying in 2023, seeking to influence potential regulatory outcomes regardless of who occupies the White House.

What It Means for Policy

Public distrust could complicate Trump's ability to implement technology policy changes that require congressional support or public buy-in. The poll shows 56% of voters would oppose legislation that benefits companies perceived as close to Trump, even if the policies have merit on their own.

The findings also suggest tech companies face reputational risks from perceived political alignment. When asked about their trust in major tech platforms, 49% of respondents said their confidence had decreased over the past year, with many citing political favoritism as the reason.

For voters, the core issue appears to be transparency. The poll found that 76% want complete disclosure of all meetings and communications between political candidates and tech executives during campaign seasons. Currently, such disclosures are voluntary and inconsistent across campaigns.

The survey's margin of error was 2 percentage points, with findings that could shift as the campaign progresses and as specific policy proposals emerge from both parties.