Is the tech industry leaving the left?

Over the last few years, we’ve grown accustomed to technology companies aligning with liberal values. From diversity programmes to outspoken stances on climate change, many big tech figures have seemed to lean left. However, here in early 2025, a curious shift appears to be taking place. Influential names like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk are adopting positions that critics say are drifting away from progressive ideas and closer to right-wing perspectives. So, are these recent developments signs that the tech industry is leaving the left?

In this article, we’ll look at what Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk have been doing that suggests a rightward turn. We’ll also explore what it could mean for social media, public conversations, and our everyday online experiences. To top it off, we’ll see why Donald Trump has become oddly popular in some corners of the tech world.

Meta’s content shake-up

Let’s start with Mark Zuckerberg’s latest move at Meta (formerly Facebook). In January 2025, he announced that all professional fact-checking across the company’s platforms—Facebook, Instagram, and Threads—would be replaced by a new system called “Community Notes.” This style of user-moderated content draws heavy inspiration from how Elon Musk manages X (the platform formerly known as Twitter).

Zuckerberg has labelled this shift as a victory for free expression. In his words, shutting down professional moderation teams frees people to talk more openly without fear of being “fact-checked” by a faceless organisation. However, opponents argue that this approach could open the floodgates for misinformation and hateful content. Groups like the Human Rights Campaign worry that hate speech directed at LGBTQ+ individuals could escalate, as posts might no longer face serious scrutiny if they’re deemed acceptable by enough users in a “vote-up or vote-down” style system.

Even inside Meta, there are voices speaking out against the change. Some employees feel this move is more about staying on good terms with political figures than it is about promoting genuine free speech. The timing, they say, isn’t exactly subtle: just a month before, Meta contributed one million dollars to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund.

That donation has raised eyebrows for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it highlights the power of money in politics, and secondly, it signals a growing closeness between Zuckerberg and Trump. The fact that Trump previously hinted at tighter regulations for social media platforms over what he considered political bias makes Meta’s donation appear quite strategic. Critics see it as a calculated move designed to keep Meta on Trump’s good side.

Elon Musk’s foray into far-right politics

While Zuckerberg’s approach may be more subtle, Elon Musk seems to have jumped in with both feet. Under his ownership, X has undergone some drastic changes. Most notably, Musk has taken a hands-off approach to content moderation. He’s also not shy about inviting controversial figures onto his platform.

In January 2025, Musk raised a lot of questions by hosting a live discussion with Alice Weidel, a co-leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. During their chat, Musk echoed some of her views on immigration and energy policy, casually labelling these opinions as “common sense.” It was a jarring moment for many observers who once saw Musk as an innovative thinker rather than someone leaning towards far-right politics.

Musk hasn’t stopped there. He has been caught amplifying conspiracy theories about so-called “grooming gangs” in the UK, a trope often used in far-right circles to paint entire communities in a negative light. Even more alarming are his hints that “civil war is inevitable” in the UK—an explosive claim that experts fear could heighten tensions in already polarised environments.

In parallel, hate speech and extremist content have reportedly surged on X. White supremacist and neo-Nazi groups have gained a bigger presence, sometimes popping up in people’s suggested feeds. Many argue this shows how dangerous it can be to roll back moderation, especially when algorithms continue to promote whatever content happens to generate the most engagement—be it positive or negative.

Trump’s surprising popularity in tech

Meanwhile, the name “Donald Trump” keeps cropping up in the tech world for reasons that go beyond his victory in the US election. Despite being a polarising figure, he’s oddly popular in some circles of Silicon Valley and the broader tech and entertainment sectors. For instance, Trump jumped on the NFT bandwagon, releasing digital collectables that sold surprisingly well. These novelty items, featuring iconic images of the former president, have found an enthusiastic market that goes beyond just political supporters. Additionally, he’s become the face of the new “Trump It” online casino game, which has drawn in a mix of high-profile gamers and curious onlookers.

At first glance, it might sound strange for a man with a background in reality television and hotel chains to become a favourite in tech. However, the numbers don’t lie. His NFT drop was a big seller, and the “Trump It” casino game has, according to those who play regularly at casino sister sites,  garnered enough attention to make it a profitable enterprise. Some people in tech praise his “business acumen” and willingness to disrupt traditional norms—qualities that Silicon Valley types admire, often regardless of the political implications.

Where does this leave us?

So, is the tech industry truly shifting to the right, or are we just seeing a handful of influential figures making controversial choices? It could be a bit of both. These recent moves by Zuckerberg and Musk are highly visible and set the tone for industry conversations. After all, when the heads of Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and X start supporting right-wing politics or donating to conservative leaders, it sends a strong signal to other tech executives and employees.

On the other hand, not everyone in big tech is on board with these developments. Some employees at Meta are openly criticising Zuckerberg’s policy changes, arguing that removing professional fact-checking might be disastrous. Outside the company, civil rights groups and advocacy organisations are rallying to demand more, not less, moderation on social media. They warn that the rise in hate speech and conspiracies is already damaging public trust in online platforms, making it harder for users to know whom or what to believe.

Ultimately, the question posed—“Is the Tech Industry Leaving the Left?”—doesn’t have a simple yes or no answer. Certain trends certainly suggest a tilt towards right-wing figures, with financial backing for conservative politicians and content rules that favour fewer restrictions. Nevertheless, pockets of resistance remain, both among the public and within these tech giants themselves.

Could this be a passing phase? Possibly. Tech companies have always been known for pivoting quickly when circumstances change. If consumer sentiment shifts against these decisions or if regulatory pressures intensify, they might just as swiftly return to the kinds of moderation and corporate policies we saw in the last decade. Until then, the debate rages on, and the choices made by industry leaders will shape how billions of people experience the internet.

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