Something unusual is happening in Silicon Valley. As tech giants like Meta, Google, and Amazon cozy up to President Trump, their employees—many of whom lean left—are pushing back in quiet but creative ways.
Take Meta, for example. After CEO Mark Zuckerberg removed sanitary products from men’s bathrooms—a move seen as cutting support for transgender and nonbinary employees—workers took matters into their own hands. Tampons, pads, and liners started appearing in those bathrooms again, thanks to employees bringing their own. A petition to save the products also began circulating, highlighting the tension between leadership and staff.
It’s not just Meta. Across the Valley, tech workers are grappling with their CEOs’ newfound alignment with Trump. Leaders like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Sundar Pichai attended Trump’s inauguration last week, signaling a dramatic shift for an industry that has historically supported progressive causes like immigration reform and workplace diversity.
But instead of loud protests, employees are opting for subtle acts of defiance. Whether it’s reclaiming bathroom spaces or quietly organizing petitions, these small gestures send a clear message: not everyone in tech is on board with the rightward turn.
For now, these quiet rebellions are a testament to the growing divide between Silicon Valley’s leadership and its workforce. As CEOs embrace Trump’s policies, their employees are proving that even the smallest acts can speak volumes.