An upcoming book from New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan quotes Donald Trump describing fawning text messages he received from tech executives Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos. "You would not believe the texts I got from these tech guys," Trump told associates, according to the book. He allegedly showed the messages to others, saying the executives were "kissing my ass."
The revelation, first reported by Wired, paints a picture of uneasy relationships between the former president and some of Silicon Valley's most powerful figures. The book suggests Trump took pleasure in exposing what he saw as the executives' sycophantic behavior. Elon Musk, another tech billionaire, reportedly called the texts "first-class groveling."
The book claims Zuckerberg and Bezos, whose companies have often clashed with Trump politically, sent messages that Trump interpreted as attempts to curry favor. Specific content of the texts was not disclosed in the report. The anecdote highlights the complex dynamics between Trump and the tech industry during and after his presidency.
Critics may question the book's reliance on Trump's own retelling of events, noting his tendency to exaggerate. Neither Zuckerberg, Bezos, nor their companies have commented on the claim. The anecdote is likely to further fuel perceptions of the transactional nature of Trump's relationships with business leaders.
While the story offers a glimpse into behind-the-scenes interactions, it remains a single, potentially self-serving account from a figure known for embellishment. Without corroborating sources or the actual texts, readers should treat the episode as one perspective on a much more layered set of relationships.