US Democrats Target Apple, Meta and Musk Companies in Probe of Trump Ties

Democrats, who secured majorities in both chambers in the U.S. midterm elections, are preparing congressional investigations targeting Apple Inc., Meta Platforms Inc. and companies led by Elon Musk. They plan to examine whether companies with close ties to the Trump administration engaged in improper dealings tied to government policy.

The Washington Post reported on November 6, citing people familiar with the plans, that Democrats are considering the companies as early targets of the investigation. The newspaper said it interviewed five people, including congressional aides, lobbyists, venture investors and lawyers, and reviewed recordings of related meetings.

A key issue involving Musk's businesses is how the AI chatbot Grok was used in military operations. The House is preparing to investigate claims that President Donald Trump used Grok while planning an operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Democrats had begun seeking related records even before the election. Representative Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, and Representative Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, sent a request to the White House on October 29 demanding that it preserve records of Trump's conversations with AI chatbots. They also asked for an explanation of how the president used AI and what policy governs the treatment of those exchanges as presidential records.

Meta is also facing scrutiny over requiring nondisclosure agreements, or NDAs, from local governments during data-center development. Apple, meanwhile, is under review over distribution of a tracking app related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency known as ICE.

Democratic leaders have also signaled a hard-line response. Raskin, who is set to become chairman of the House Judiciary Committee next year, said on November 4 that he would pursue a series of investigations and hearings to expose corruption and push legislation to block it.

Companies have begun legal preparations for possible hearings and document requests. Washington law firms are holding urgent online briefings and small-group meetings to advise founders and executives on responding to congressional investigations. Some firms have also prepared proposals to secure roles as Musk's personal legal representatives, the report said.