US President Donald Trump has escalated his battle with political rivals, this time directing his ire at Microsoft. In a sharp post on Truth Social, Trump demanded that Satya Nadella immediately fire Lisa Monaco, who was appointed as Microsoft’s President of Global Affairs in July.
Trump branded Monaco “corrupt and totally Trump deranged,” warning that her presence at Microsoft was a “menace to US National Security, especially given the major contracts that Microsoft has with the United States Government.”
The US President Donald Trump further alleged that Monaco had been stripped of her access to government intelligence. “Because of Monaco’s many wrongful acts, the US Government recently stripped her of all Security Clearances, took away all of her access to National Security Intelligence, and banned her from all Federal Properties,” he wrote.
He ended his statement with a clear directive: “It is my opinion that Microsoft should immediately terminate the employment of Lisa Monaco.”
Lisa Monaco’s appointment to Microsoft was first reported by Reuters and confirmed through her LinkedIn profile. She now oversees the tech giant’s relationships with governments worldwide.
Monaco has had an extensive career in public service:
Served as a top national security aide under President Barack Obama
Played a major role in the Justice Department’s response to the January 6 Capitol riots
Most recently, she was Deputy Attorney General under President Joe Biden
It is this latter role that appears to have angered Trump. The Justice Department, during Biden’s administration, pursued multiple investigations against Trump, which he views as politically motivated. In his Truth Social post, Trump argued that Monaco’s senior role at Microsoft was “unacceptable.”
The attack on Monaco is not an isolated case but part of Trump’s broader pattern of going after those he considers political enemies.
Days earlier, former FBI director James Comey—a long-time Trump critic—was indicted on obstruction and perjury charges.
Trump has pushed for charges against John Bolton, his former national security adviser, and Democratic senator Adam Schiff.
He has also taken on corporate leaders and institutions, previously demanding Intel’s CEO step down, criticizing Disney’s ABC over late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, and weighing in on other major companies.
This aggressive approach highlights how Trump uses his presidential platform to pressure both government agencies and corporate America.
For Microsoft, Trump’s public attack adds another layer of complexity to its already delicate relationship with Washington.
Earlier this month, CEO Satya Nadella attended a White House dinner with Trump and other tech leaders, underlining the close ties between Silicon Valley and the U.S. government.
The company is also under scrutiny for its lucrative federal contracts.
According to a CNBC report, Microsoft recently restricted some cloud services to an Israeli military unit following concerns about surveillance practices.
Now, Trump’s intervention places the tech giant in a precarious position—balancing its high-profile hires and global business strategy against direct presidential pressure.
Donald Trump’s attack on Lisa Monaco marks the latest chapter in his long-running battle with perceived political enemies, extending his reach into Big Tech. For Microsoft, the situation poses a strategic dilemma: whether to stand by its newly appointed global affairs chief or bow to unprecedented presidential pressure.
With Trump tying Monaco’s past role in the Justice Department to what he sees as political persecution, the issue has moved beyond corporate governance into the realm of national politics.
As Microsoft navigates these challenges, the incident underscores how intertwined America’s largest tech companies have become with government affairs. Whether the company decides to resist or comply will not only shape its Washington strategy but also test the resilience of corporate independence in an era of deep political polarization.