Blumenthal Demands $10 Million Microsoft Ballroom Records as Democrats Target Big Tech After Midterms
Updated
Updated · Computerworld · Nov 11
Blumenthal Demands $10 Million Microsoft Ballroom Records as Democrats Target Big Tech After Midterms
3 articles · Updated · Computerworld · Nov 11
Summary
Two days after the midterms, Senator Richard Blumenthal told Microsoft and other tech companies to turn over documents on donations to Trump’s White House ballroom project, with Microsoft reported to have given $10 million.
January could bring subpoenas if companies do not comply, as Blumenthal is set to chair the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations and frame the probe around possible conflicts of interest and quid pro quos.
Microsoft also faces a broader Democratic push against AI and data centers after candidates campaigned on tighter oversight, while 40 of 41 local ballot initiatives opposing data centers passed.
That crackdown could hit Microsoft on two fronts: the company has already said it lacks enough computing power to meet Azure AI demand, and a Democratic Congress may also cut ICE spending that supports some Microsoft cloud and AI work.