Trump meets Intel CEO Lip-Bu days after demanding his resignation

Donald Trump recently posted about his meeting with Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan on the Social Truth platform. The action is a major turnaround from his previous public demand for Tan’s resignation. This sudden change in tone came after a post where Trump praised Tan’s “amazing story” and announced that cabinet members would be working with him on suggestions for the administration.

This meeting is the latest chapter in a story that began with a post where Trump called Tan highly CONFLICTED and demanded his immediate resignation. This demand was reportedly fuelled by concerns raised by Republican Senator Tom Cotton regarding Tan’s past ties to Chinese companies, including those with alleged links to the Chinese military. The controversy was particularly potent because Intel is one of the major recipients of US government funding through the CHIPS Act.

This rapid shift from public ouster to a face-to-face meeting followed by praises may raise questions about the balance of power between the government and private enterprises. While a President can exert considerable influence through public statements and regulatory pressure, their direct authority over a private company’s boardroom is still legally limited.

While a President cannot legally fire a CEO, public condemnation and the threat of government action can impact a company's stock value and reputation, thereby influencing the board's decisions. The dramatic shift in this narrative makes us look into the possibilities, albeit informal, power a President can wield in the corporate world, using public opinion and national security concerns to shape corporate leadership and policy.