Trump's Corporate and Academic Targets: A Comprehensive Look at Presidential Confrontations

President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism and actions against various executives, corporations, and institutions. His unprecedented measures—ranging from unique export agreements to suspended university grants—have disrupted traditional relationships between government, law, academia, and corporate America.

On Friday, Trump called for Microsoft's global affairs president Lisa Monaco to be dismissed, labeling her a "menace to US National Security."

Here are key individuals and organizations that have faced public criticism from Trump:

GOLDMAN SACHS

After Goldman's economic research division published a note in August stating that US consumers had absorbed 22% of tariff costs through June, with potential increases to 67%, Trump responded sharply on Truth Social. He claimed that "companies and governments, many of them foreign" were primarily bearing the costs, and took a swipe at CEO David Solomon's DJ hobby.

INTEL

In early August, Trump demanded Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan resign due to his China connections. Reuters had previously reported that Tan invested at least $200 million in hundreds of Chinese manufacturing and chip companies, some with ties to China's military.

"The CEO of INTEL is highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately. There is no other solution to this problem," Trump declared on Truth Social.

Tan responded by affirming his commitment to US national and economic security, noting the Intel board's full support. Following a meeting between them, Trump praised Tan, and the US government decided to invest in the chipmaker.

MICROSOFT

Trump recently stated that Microsoft should terminate Lisa Monaco, its global affairs president who previously served in Democratic administrations. "She is a menace to US National Security, especially given the major contracts that Microsoft has with the United States Government," Trump posted on Truth Social.

He argued that Monaco's access to sensitive information in her role was "unacceptable." Monaco, who joined Microsoft in July, previously worked as a security aide for President Obama and as deputy attorney general under President Biden.

TESLA

Despite Tesla CEO Elon Musk investing hundreds of millions to support Trump's re-election, the relationship soured in June when Musk criticized Trump's tax-cut and spending bill for potentially increasing federal debt.

Trump responded on Truth Social by threatening to cut federal subsidies and contracts to Musk's companies, claiming the billionaire "just went CRAZY" after losing the electric-vehicle mandate in the bill.

JAGUAR LAND ROVER

Trump criticized Jaguar's rebranding campaign in August, calling it "woke" and "stupid" while connecting it to CEO Adrian Mardell's departure after over three decades with the company. The British automaker, owned by India's Tata Motors, had unveiled a new logo and visual identity as part of its transition to becoming an electric vehicle manufacturer, which sparked backlash from brand loyalists.

APPLE

Trump has repeatedly targeted Apple and CEO Tim Cook for manufacturing US-sold iPhones outside the country, threatening company-specific tariffs. In May, Trump recounted confronting Cook about Apple's plan to make most US-bound iPhones in Indian factories by late 2026.

Trump later announced that Apple would invest an additional $100 billion in the US, increasing its total domestic commitment to $600 billion over four years. Cook presented Trump with a US-made souvenir featuring a 24-karat gold base.

AMAZON.COM

Trump called former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos in April to complain about reports that the company planned to display prices showing tariff impacts. Amazon stated it had briefly considered listing import charges following Trump's tariff announcement but abandoned the idea after the White House described it as a "hostile political act."

Trump later told reporters that Bezos had resolved the issue "very quickly" and was "very nice."

BANK OF AMERICA AND JPMORGAN CHASE

In August, Trump alleged that Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan and JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon discriminated against him and his supporters, claiming they denied banking services to conservatives.

"What you're doing is wrong," Trump stated during a video address at the World Economic Forum in Davos. He added, "You and Jamie and everybody, I hope you're gonna open your bank to conservatives."

Both financial institutions have repeatedly denied these "debanking" allegations.

WALMART

After Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said the retailer couldn't absorb all tariff-related costs due to narrow margins, Trump responded in May that Walmart and China should "eat the tariffs" rather than burden American consumers.

"Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain. Walmart made BILLIONS OF DOLLARS last year, far more than expected," Trump posted on social media.

CRACKER BARREL

When Cracker Barrel briefly changed its logo by removing the image of "Uncle Herschel" leaning against a barrel, it faced significant social media backlash, including criticism from Trump. The restaurant chain subsequently reversed course.

"Congratulations 'Cracker Barrel' on changing your logo back to what it was. All of your fans very much appreciate it," Trump wrote on Truth Social following the company's decision to revert to its original logo.

COMCAST

Trump has criticized Comcast and its news network MSNBC for their coverage of his administration. Regarding MSNBC's name change to MS NOW, Trump told reporters, "They're changing the name because they're ashamed of it, and they're disassociating it from NBC."

In an August social media post, Trump also referred to Comcast as a "weak and ineffective owner ... headed by ... Brian Roberts."

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

The White House announced an internal review of certain Smithsonian museums and exhibitions ahead of America's 250th independence anniversary. In a March executive order, Trump claimed the institution had fallen under the influence of a "divisive, race-centered ideology" in recent years.

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

Trump targeted America's oldest and wealthiest university by canceling approximately $2.5 billion in federal grants and working to cut off research funding. These actions were part of a broader campaign against US universities that Trump claims are dominated by antisemitic and "radical left" ideologies.

"We are going to be taking away Harvard's Tax Exempt Status. It's what they deserve!" Trump declared on social media in May.

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

In March, the Trump administration penalized Columbia University over its handling of protests by canceling $400 million in federal funding.

"This is the first arrest of many to come. We know there are more students at Columbia and other Universities across the Country who have engaged in pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity, and the Trump Administration will not tolerate it," Trump stated after the arrest of Palestinian graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, who played a prominent role in the protests.

Columbia later agreed to pay over $200 million to the US government in a settlement with Trump's administration.

LAW FIRMS

Trump targeted several law firms with executive orders. In March, he suspended security clearances for Perkins Coie employees and restricted their access to federal buildings due to the firm's connections to Hillary Clinton and DEI policies, calling it "an absolute honor to sign" the order.

Trump issued similar orders against New York law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, which he later withdrew after reaching an agreement, and Covington & Burling, whose security clearances were suspended for Peter Koski and employees who assisted former special counsel Jack Smith, who prosecuted Trump.

Covington maintained it would continue representing Jack Smith despite these measures.

"We're going to continue holding the people who were responsible for the weaponisation of government — who supported it — accountable," Trump stated.