I’ve only watched a few clips of last night’s dinner with tech execs at the White House. Is it possible to accept the invitation and not grovel? This is my first draft at a comment:
It is great to be here with so many leaders in the industry. <nodding to others around the table> Bill, Satya, Tim, Sam, everyone… It is good to meet all of you. I’m glad to have this opportunity, and look forward to the discussions tonight of how we can innovate for the American people. How we can find common ground even where our companies might take different paths, and work together so the government has a positive role in people’s lives. There is so much potential in advances in AI and new manufacturing, and I’m excited for where this country can still go. <lifts glass in cheers, takes sip of an old fashioned made with the White House’s most expensive bourbon>
Improvements? Accept the invitation, enjoy the dinner, but do not grovel and do not ever say “thank you” to Trump. It feels like that should be possible. Maybe even make a subtle point along the way, without refusing to attend or throwing your plate in protest.
Although I would also have enormous respect for anyone who did publicly decline the invitation.
