OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning to make a $1 million personal donation to President-Elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships the incoming administration.
  • ramsorge
    86·
    18 hours ago

    I’m pretty sure this million that everyone is paying is protection money so they don’t get a shake down

    • ArbitraryValue@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      261·
      18 hours ago

      “Protection money” implies a significant expense. A million dollars is so little to a big tech company (and not that much to Trump) that this is more like a “Congratulations!” card with a Starbucks gift certificate inside. It’s as little as Altman can send without being insulting, but if the fact that he sent anything at all sways Trump even a little bit then the return on investment will be enormous.

      • ramsorge
        161·
        18 hours ago

        It doesn’t imply a significant expense. My grandfather used to tell us a story of how he paid what was basically a mafia a monthly fee so his barber shop wouldn’t get broken into. I forgot the exact amount, but is was like $500/m or something.

        Trump also deals in these “small” transactions. Get a hundred of them and it adds up.

          • ramsorge
            4·
            17 hours ago

            I do agree with you. I guess maybe this is more like chips on a table? Like an ante, a bet?

            Either way I think we can both agree it’s shady

      • Rhaedas@fedia.io
        6·
        17 hours ago

        It’s to keep their name off a list. The Revenge President is back with more power, so better at least pretend to be with him if you’re also powerful.

  • Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works
    38·
    18 hours ago

    From Trump’s point of view, this is his new subjects lining up to pay tribute.

    From the perspective of the wealthy people making these donations, it’s like stuffing a twenty dollar bill in the doorman’s breast pocket.

    • BlueÆther@no.lastname.nz
      1·
      6 hours ago

      From the perspective of the wealthy people making these donations, it’s like stuffing a twenty dollar bill in the doorman’s breast pocket I think you misspelled hooker and G-string

    • Zaktor@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      11·
      17 hours ago

      From everyone else’s point of view it’s also his new subjects lining up. There’s no reason to excuse these companies regardless of what percent of the bottom line a million dollars is.