Tech Oversight Project/PPP National Poll: Americans Deeply Critical of Big Tech CEOs, Support Big Tech Tax

Three-quarters of Americans see through tech CEOs’ MAGA posturing and support taxing Big Tech, including 60% of Republicans 

View the poll here

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, The Tech Oversight Project released a nationwide survey conducted by Public Policy Polling showing that an overwhelming majority of Americans disapprove of Big Tech CEOs and support policies that would check the industry’s power. The survey was conducted from June 3rd to June 4th and included responses from 541 voters.

Most notably, majorities of Americans, including 86% of Democrats, 60% of Republicans, and 70% of Independents, support taxing Big Tech to offset costs associated with the industry, and to make Big Tech pay their fair share.

And despite tech CEOs recent actions capitulating to the Trump administration, majorities of voters – including 54% of Trump voters – see through their cynical posturing.

“Not only are Americans consistently distrustful of Big Tech CEOs, but even Trump voters reject their new MAGA act – and in fact support policies like a Big Tech Tax to rein them in,” said Sacha Haworth, Executive Director of The Tech Oversight Project. “Holding Big Tech companies accountable continues to be a political winner, and Congress should take note that the American people overwhelmingly support an agenda that stops Silicon Valley executives who are recklessly endangering kids, crushing small and innovative businesses, and skyrocketing home energy costs on families.”

Key Findings:

• The American people overwhelmingly disapprove of Big Tech CEOs and do not trust them to craft policy that affects their lives.
  • 74% of Americans disapprove of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, with a net favorability of -59 points
  • 55% of Americans disapprove of Google CEO Sundar Pichai, with a net favorability of -38
  • 44% of Americans disapprove of Apple CEO Tim Cook, with a net favorability of -14 points
  • 67% of Americans disapprove of Amazon Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos, with a net favorability of -45
  • 50% of Americans disapprove of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, with a net favorability of -36 points

• • In response to Big Tech CEOs taking actions to appear more MAGA and in support of President Trump’s agenda, such as weakening fact-checking and hate speech protections, donating to the inaugural fund, and appearing on far-right podcasts, a majority of Trump voters see right through them and believe it is an act.
    • 54% of Trump voters and 70% of voters overall believe Big Tech is just trying to appeal to Trump.
  • An overwhelming majority of Americans support taxing Big Tech to offset costs and externalities associated with its industry, such as increased energy consumption, to ensure Big Tech pays its fair share.

• 72% overall support a Big Tech Tax – with 86% of Democrats, 60% of Republicans, and 70% of independents supporting.

• • • Notably, only 21% of Republicans oppose the measure.
  • A majority of Americans trust the federal government or state governments to make policy decisions about artificial intelligence policy over Big Tech CEOs.
    • 52% trust the federal government or state to make policy decisions.

• • Only 7% of respondents trust Big Tech CEOs to make policy decisions that affect their lives.
    

• Democrats and Independents overwhelmingly distrust Big Tech CEOs by similarly overwhelming margins.
  • • Democrats:
      • 75% disapprove of Mark Zuckerberg, with a net favorability of -62 points
      • 43% disapprove of Sundar Pichai
      • 43% disapprove of Tim Cook, with a net favorability of -7 points
      • 75% disapprove of Jeff Bezos, with a net favorability of -59 points
      • 54% disapprove of Sam Altman, with a net favorability of 39 points
    • Independents:
      • 82% disapprove of Mark Zuckerberg, with a net favorability of -73 points
      • 55% disapprove of Sundar Pichai, with a net favorability of -40 points
      • 44% disapprove of Tim Cook, with a net favorability of -9 points
      • 71% disapprove of Jeff Bezos, with a net favorability of -53 points
      • 61% disapprove of Sam Altman, with a net favorability of -51 points

• While Republican voters’ disapproval for Big Tech CEOs was less intense than that of Democrats and Independents, every CEO faced double-digit disapproval among Republicans. 

• • 63% disapprove of Mark Zuckerberg, with a net favorability of -41 points
  • 52% disapprove of Sundar Pichai, with a net favorability of -34 points
  • 44% disapprove of Tim Cook, with a net favorability of -22 points
  • 53% disapprove of Jeff Bezos, with a net favorability of -22 points
  • 34% disapprove of Sam Altman, with a net favorability of -16 points