Scott Galloway, host of The Prof G Pod, unleashed his criticism of tech CEOs during his talk at the SXSW festival on Saturday, March 8, 2025, held in Austin, Texas. He accused these leaders of participating in what he called "dominos of cowardice," asserting their complacency amid societal challenges.
Galloway, who is also an NYU Stern marketing professor, stated, "Tech leaders enormously influence society and their character matters." He expressed deep concerns about the actions and behaviors of prominent figures such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and others, implying their decisions contribute to what he described as America’s "slow road to fascism." During his presentation, he displayed images representing these tech leaders as dominos, emphasizing the cascading effects of their influence.
He shared specific instances, noting how some business leaders had communicated with Kara Swisher, his co-host on the tech podcast Pivot, expressing their reluctance to attend Donald Trump's inauguration, stating they "hate to be at the inauguration, but I'm doing it for shareholders." This sentiment highlights the conflict between personal beliefs and business obligations.
Galloway referred to the actions of Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), and her controversial urging of the Interpublic Group (IPG) to increase its advertising on X. According to Galloway, this pressure was strategically timed with IPG’s negotiations to merge with its competitor, Omnicom. He noted the potential repercussions of this arrangement, stating, "The CEO of X demanded IPG advertise on her platform; otherwise, she will get her boss to block the merger." Such alliances, Galloway posited, could create ethical quandaries within the tech industry.
Reflecting on Musk’s actions during Trump's inauguration, which some observers interpreted as reminiscent of fascist symbolism, Galloway did not hold back. He disclosed, "I had a running loop of Musk doing the Nazi salute, and I thought, 'I refuse to normalize this bullshit.'" This blunt rhetoric underscored Galloway’s refusal to accept normalization of what he views as dangerous political gestures from influential leaders.
Galloway's commentary not only critiqued the apparent self-interested behavior of these leaders but also suggested they are emboldening reactions from followers and fellow CEOs alike, creating what he called "fascist dominoes" falling one after another.
The talk concluded without immediate comments from the firms involved, as spokespeople for The Washington Post, Microsoft, OpenAI, Meta, Alphabet, and Apple did not respond to requests for clarification on Galloway’s accusations. The apparent silence of such powerful tech organizations only adds to the gravity of Galloway’s assertions.
While some may dismiss Galloway's remarks as incendiary, they raise pertinent questions about the responsibility and accountability of tech CEOs within the broader societal framework. The event illuminated the pressing need for these leaders to reevaluate their roles and the consequences their actions may hold for the public.
Galloway's observations serve as both a warning and call to action against complacency among business leaders at potentially pivotal moments for democracy. The challenge lies not just with the decisions these individuals make, but also with how they navigate the cultural and political landscapes shaping their industries.