Biden Presidential Campaigns' Dance with Big Tech: Spending, Criticisms, and Dependencies
In the complex realm of U.S. presidential campaigns, the relationship between political juggernauts and the tech giants they often criticize is a fascinating dance, as revealed by the Federal Election Commission’s 2023 expenditure records. Despite frequent disdain for Big Tech in Washington, these campaigns find themselves funneling millions into Silicon Valley for various services, unveiling a paradoxical reliance on the very entities they target.
Examining the two prominent figures in the 2023 campaigns – President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump – underscores the contradictions within their interactions with Big Tech. Trump, a vocal critic of what he deems “biased Big Tech,” launched Truth Social to counter perceived censorship. Yet, he simultaneously allocates funds for advertising on Facebook (META) and utilizes Amazon (AMZN) for campaign office supplies.
Similarly, President Biden, leading an administration engaged in legal battles against tech giants, bemoans consolidation and advocates for antitrust efforts. Despite this, his campaign consistently patronizes Amazon, Google (GOOG), and Meta for various services, encapsulating the complexities of their stance on Big Tech.
Historical Criticism Amidst Current Reliance
This peculiar dynamic is not new. The 2020 campaign witnessed candidates like Sen. Elizabeth Warren advocating the breakup of tech companies while simultaneously leveraging their platforms for advertising. The 2023 campaigns of Biden and Trump continue this trend, reflecting the enduring reliance on Big Tech for digital outreach, particularly through the expensive world of digital advertising.
Advertising Dominates Expenditures
Collectively, the Biden and Trump campaigns spent a staggering $30 million on advertising in 2023, with a substantial portion directed towards digital platforms. Facebook in Menlo Park, California, and GooglePlex in Mountain View witnessed substantial contributions, reflecting the pivotal role of digital advertising in modern political campaigns.
However, determining the precise share of advertising budgets funneled into Big Tech’s coffers is challenging due to the involvement of third parties. The Trump campaign allocated at least $11.5 million for “online advertising” or “placed media,” with efforts to trace these funds revealing substantial contributions to Facebook and Google ads. While exact figures for the entire year remain uncharted, the trajectory suggests continued growth.
Biden's Campaign Dynamics
The Biden campaign, too, engaged in significant spending, notably entrusting Democratic-aligned firms like Gambit Strategies with its digital advertising endeavors. Gambit Strategies, helmed by former Biden aides, collected over $8 million in 2023, showcasing the intricate web of financial connections between political campaigns and specific consulting firms.
Tech Giants Amidst Criticism
Criticism from both Biden and Trump towards Big Tech persisted in 2023, with Trump branding Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg a “weirdo,” and Biden accusing platforms like Facebook of contributing to the spread of COVID-19 misinformation. Despite these public critiques, both campaigns continued their financial transactions with these tech giants, emphasizing the practicality of their services.
Beyond Advertising: Office Supplies and Rides
Looking beyond advertising expenditures, the filings unveil a broader spectrum of campaign spending on tech services. Both campaigns turned to Amazon for different purposes – hosting the Biden campaign’s website for nearly $60,000 and stocking Trump’s offices with over $30,000 in office supplies. Apple products received significant attention from Biden’s team, spending over $170,000 in 2023. In contrast, Trump’s campaign, while making fewer iPhone and MacBook purchases, still spent almost $9,000 on Apple for office equipment.
The choice of ride-sharing services also revealed distinctions in the campaign cultures. Trump’s team favored Uber over Lyft, expensing Uber rides ten times more frequently, while Uber Eats made frequent appearances in their filings. Team Biden showcased a more balanced approach, splitting fares between Uber and Lyft, with a slight preference for the latter.
Conclusion
The intricate dance between presidential campaigns and Big Tech, laden with contradictions and dependencies, underscores the evolving dynamics of modern political landscapes. As campaigns navigate the delicate balance between criticism and reliance, the financial interplay with tech giants continues to shape the strategies and expenditures of political contenders on the national stage.