Professor Suggests Big Tech Can Stop 'Coin-Operated' Trump

NYU professor says companies like Amazon, Apple, and OpenAI can impact Trump's 2024 campaign through collective action.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Scott Galloway, a professor at NYU's Stern School of Business, argued that President Donald Trump is vulnerable to an economic strike from his Big Tech donors, including Amazon, Apple, and OpenAI. Galloway said these companies have prioritized shareholder value over other concerns and need to take collective action to resist Trump's agenda, such as by cutting funding or withdrawing support.

Why it matters

Trump's 2024 presidential campaign received significant financial and other support from major tech companies, raising concerns about the influence of corporate money in politics. Galloway's comments suggest these companies may have more leverage than previously thought to impact Trump's political fortunes.

The details

Galloway said Trump is a 'coin-operated president' who is beholden to his Big Tech donors. He argued these companies, which are 'highly sensitive to growth rates and projected growth rates,' could have a major impact by 'resisting and unsubscribing' from Trump's agenda in order to 'save some money and have a really big impact.'

  • Galloway made these comments during an interview on 'The Daily Beast Podcast' on February 12, 2026.

The players

Scott Galloway

A professor at NYU's Stern School of Business who specializes in business and technology.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who is expected to run for president again in 2024.

Jeff Bezos

The founder and former CEO of Amazon, who also owns The Washington Post.

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What they’re saying

“This is a coin-operated president. And these individuals have decided that their one and only job is shareholder value. And I empathize with that, I get it. There's a ton of pressure. Nobody wants to go first. But there needs to be collective action ... to say, 'This has just gone too far.' But what is it about? It's about one thing. It's about shareholder value. Full stop.”

— Scott Galloway, Professor, NYU Stern School of Business (The Daily Beast Podcast)

What’s next

Galloway's comments suggest that Big Tech companies could take coordinated action to withdraw financial and other support from Trump's 2024 campaign, which could significantly impact his chances of winning the presidency.

The takeaway

Galloway's remarks highlight the outsized influence of corporate money in US politics, and the potential for major tech companies to use their financial leverage to shape the political landscape. This raises important questions about the role of private interests in the democratic process.