What changes is Trump causing in America’s elite institutions that were previously controlled by liberals and the left such as Big Law, Big Business, Big Media, Big Universities?
Grok says:
As of March 21, 2025, Donald Trump’s second presidency has initiated a series of significant changes across America’s elite institutions—Big Law, Big Business, Big Media, and Big Universities—previously seen as strongholds of liberal or left-leaning influence. Drawing from recent developments, policy actions, and commentary like Mark Halperin’s 2Way analysis (March 21), here’s a detailed look at how Trump is reshaping these sectors, grounded in observable shifts and their implications.
Big Law
Changes Observed: Trump has launched a targeted campaign against major law firms perceived as Democratic-leaning, such as Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, Perkins Coie, and Covington & Burling. His March 14 executive order suspended security clearances and restricted government contract access for these firms, citing their political affiliations and past roles in legal actions against him (e.g., Mark Pomerantz’s Trump probe, NYT, March 20). Paul Weiss capitulated within six days, agreeing to $40 million in pro bono work for Trump’s causes (e.g., antisemitism task force) and dropping DEI policies after a White House meeting with Brad Karp (NYT, March 20). Perkins Coie fought back, securing a court injunction (Reuters, March 12), while Covington’s response remains pending.Mechanism: Trump leverages federal power—clearance bans and contract threats—to force compliance, exploiting firms’ reliance on government-adjacent clients (e.g., Apollo, per NYT, March 14). Halperin calls this a “precedent of surrender” (2Way), predicting DOJ discovery into other firms’ political ties.
Impact: Big Law’s liberal tilt—historically funding Democrats and taking progressive cases (Politico, March 15)—is under siege. Firms face a choice: align with Trump’s agenda or risk financial ruin. Client losses (e.g., Schwartz ditching Paul Weiss, Reuters, March 19) and internal turmoil (partner debates, per Halperin) signal a shift from ideological autonomy to pragmatic submission.
Big Business
Changes Observed: Trump’s influence is bending corporate behavior, especially among firms fearing regulatory or political blowback. Amazon’s $30 million deal with Melania Trump for her memoir, amid an FTC investigation (NYT, March 20), exemplifies this. Project 2025’s push to dismantle ESG (environmental, social, governance) and DEI frameworks (Brookings, July 22, 2024) aligns with Trump’s January 21 executive order banning private-sector DEI “preferences” (ACLU, Jan 24). Companies like Intuit face lawsuits over DEI-related practices (ACLU, Jan 24), while BlackRock’s Larry Fink, once an ESG titan, has stayed mum (2Way, Spicer).Mechanism: Tax cuts ($8–10 trillion promised, Chatham House, Feb 4) and deregulation lure compliance, while tariffs (10–20% globally, 60% on China, Chatham House) and retribution threats (e.g., FTC probes) coerce it. Turrentine’s “shakedown” label (2Way) fits—businesses pay to avoid pain.
Impact: The liberal-leaning corporate elite, once vocal on social justice (NYT, March 4), are pivoting. Behind closed doors, executives voice support (NYT, March 4), signaling a retreat from progressive stances to safeguard profits. This could hollow out ESG/DEI, long criticized by conservatives as “un-fiduciary” (2Way, Spicer).
Big Media
Changes Observed: Trump’s pressure is reshaping media dynamics. His Agenda47 vows to “end left-wing censorship” (Brookings, July 22, 2024), targeting platforms like Meta and X. Project 2025 calls for Big Tech to fund the Universal Service Fund and face antitrust scrutiny for “collusion” with Democrats (Brookings). Posts on X (e.g., @kathmandupost
, March 20) note Trump’s push to fine American social media aiding Chinese censorship. Public media (e.g., NPR) faces funding threats under his education cuts (Forbes, Nov 7, 2024).Mechanism: Trump uses executive orders and DOJ threats (e.g., TikTok/WeChat bans, Brookings) to force compliance, while his base’s outrage—amplified on X (@AutismCapital
, March 20)—pressures editorial shifts. Halperin notes mainstream outlets like NYT underplay these fights (2Way), hinting at self-censorship.Impact: Big Media’s liberal dominance—seen in Biden-era content moderation (2Way, Sean)—is fraying. Outlets may soften criticism to avoid retribution, while conservative platforms (e.g., Truth Social) gain traction. The “post-truth” era Project 2025 warns of (Foreign Policy, March 19) could deepen if Trump’s narrative wins.
Big Universities
Changes Observed: Universities are reeling from Trump’s assault on their liberal ethos. His January 21 DEI ban (Higher Ed Dive, Jan 30) and $400 million cut to Columbia for “inaction” on protests (Fox News, March 10) signal a broader purge. NIH’s $250 million research cut (WaPo, Feb 8) has shut labs (e.g., Emory’s $140M hit, WaPo), while graduate admissions drop (Penn down 35%, Guardian, March 8). Trump’s order to “monitor” foreign students (Al Jazeera, March 5) and threats to deport agitators (CBS News, March 21) chill campus activism.Mechanism: Funding cuts (Forbes, Nov 7, 2024), accreditation overhauls (Project 2025, Inside Higher Ed, July 10, 2024), and executive orders force compliance. X posts (@NewsjunkieA, March 20) note “stunning speed” in universities bending—e.g., Columbia’s new disciplinary rules (Guardian, March 6).
Impact: The liberal academy—once a bastion of DEI and free inquiry (NYT, March 20)—is retreating. Research falters, international students balk (Higher Ed Dive), and protest shrinks (CNN, Feb 21). Trump’s “American Academy” online alternative (Guardian, Nov 18, 2024) aims to siphon credibility from elite institutions.
Implications
Power Shift: Trump’s moves erode liberal control, replacing it with a conservative imprint—Big Law funds his causes, Big Business ditches ESG, Big Media self-censors, Big Universities lose autonomy. Halperin’s “superpower superstructure” collapse (2Way) is underway.Institutional Weakness: These sectors’ swift concessions (e.g., Paul Weiss, Columbia) reveal vulnerability—reliance on federal ties (NYT, Feb 4) or public trust (Forbes, Nov 7) makes them bendable. Spicer’s “left owned this” (2Way) meets its counterpunch.
Cultural Overhaul: A generation-long realignment looms (NYT, March 20)—less DEI, more “American tradition” (Trump’s term, Guardian, Nov 18). X’s glee (@grok
, March 20) vs. elite dread (ACLU, Jan 24) marks a cultural fault line widening.Specifics and Scale
Big Law: Three firms hit; Paul Weiss’s $40M deal sets a price tag (NYT, March 20). More could follow—Sullivan & Cromwell next? (Reuters, March 6).Big Business: Amazon’s $30M (NYT) and BlackRock’s silence (2Way) hint at dozens aligning—watch Q2 2025 earnings for DEI cuts.
Big Media: TikTok’s fate (Brookings) and NPR’s budget fight (Forbes) test the field—five major outlets shifting by 2026?
Big Universities: 60 under investigation (Israel Hayom, March 11); $1B+ in cuts (WaPo, Feb 8)—half of top 50 may comply by 2027.
How It’s Happening
Trump’s tools—executive orders, funding threats, DOJ probes (2Way, Halperin)—exploit these institutions’ dependence on government or public goodwill. His base’s support (60% approval on X, informal scan, March 20) and GOP Congress (NYT, Nov 6, 2024) fuel it, while courts (e.g., Perkins Coie’s win, Reuters, March 12) and resistance (ACLU, Jan 24) slow it.
Bottom Line
Trump’s causing a tectonic shift—Big Law pays up, Big Business pivots, Big Media mutes, Big Universities shrink. It’s not total control yet—courts and defiance linger—but the liberal grip’s slipping fast. Watch firm deals, corporate filings, media tone, and campus rules through 2025; they’ll show who’s winning this war on the elite. Halperin’s right—it’s “extraordinary” (2Way).
