Greetings,

When Google CEO Sundar Pichai called Donald Trump to congratulate him on his election victory, there was an unexpected participant on the line: Elon Musk. The CEO of Tesla, xAI, and several other companies joined the call, marking the first known instance of Musk participating in conversations between Trump and a tech leader.

Musk’s presence wasn’t just a surprise for Pichai—it’s a signal of his growing influence as a trusted advisor to Trump. With antitrust battles and policy discussions on AI and energy ahead, Musk’s rivalry with Google in sectors like AI, robotaxis, and video could play a pivotal role in shaping these conversations.

Why it caught my eye:

• Musk’s participation highlights the intersection of tech and politics at the highest level.
• His direct competition with Google adds another layer of complexity.
• The looming Justice Department case against Google and its potential implications for the industry make this a must-watch storyline.

You can read Erin Woo’s full story to explore what this could mean for the tech landscape in 2025 and beyond.

Best,

Jessica Lessin
Founder & Editor-in-Chief

Musk Joined Call Between Trump, Google CEO

When Google CEO Sundar Pichai called Donald Trump to congratulate the president-elect on winning the election, a guest was on the line: Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, xAI and other companies, according to two people familiar with the situation.

Musk’s appearance took Pichai by surprise, one of these people said.