Akihabara News — In a bold move signaling renewed faith in the United States under the second term of President Donald Trump, Masayoshi Son, the CEO of SoftBank Group, has announced an ambitious initiative that promises to significantly bolster the American economy. This follows a series of high-profile meetings and public appearances with Trump, highlighting a deepening partnership between the Japanese billionaire and the US administration.
On the first full day of Trump’s second term, Son stood alongside the president at a press conference in the White House, where he announced a staggering investment plan aimed at developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure in the United States. This initiative, dubbed “Stargate,” is not only a continuation but also an expansion of previous commitments. Son pledged an initial investment of US$100 billion, with an ambition to reach $500 billion over the next four years, targeting the creation of over 100,000 jobs in AI and related sectors.
The relationship between Son and Trump has its roots in the billionaire’s first promise back in 2016 when he committed US$50 billion to the United States, which included investments in companies like WeWork, although with mixed outcomes.
This time, the focus is sharply on AI, leveraging partnerships with tech giants like Arm, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, and OpenAI, where SoftBank will finance and OpenAI will handle operations.
Son’s announcement was met with enthusiasm from the Trump administration, which has been vocal about revitalizing American industry, particularly in cutting-edge technologies. President Trump himself praised Son’s commitment, playfully urging him during the press conference to “double down” on his investment, a nod to their previous interactions where similar jests had led to larger investment pledges.
This new initiative is seen as a testament to the “Trump Effect”–the perceived boost in investor confidence following Trump’s electoral victories.
Posts on social media platforms like X have celebrated this move, with many users likening it to the dawn of a “Golden Age” for America, echoing Son’s own optimistic rhetoric about the future of AI in the United States.
However, this partnership isn’t without its skeptics. Critics point to SoftBank’s past investments, where high expectations did not always yield the anticipated results, questioning how this massive financial commitment will translate into tangible job creation and technological advancement. There’s also scrutiny over how this investment will be funded, with analysts suggesting a combination of SoftBank’s balance sheet, new debt, or asset sales might be necessary.
Nevertheless, the immediate market response was positive, with SoftBank shares jumping following the announcement, indicating investor confidence in this venture. As Trump begins his second term with promises of economic rejuvenation, Son’s pledge is one of the first significant endorsements of that vision, setting a tone for what could be a transformative era for US tech and industry, underpinned by international investment and cooperation.
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