Trump Demands Microsoft (MSFT) Fire Executive Lisa Monaco Over National Security Concerns - Here’s Why It Matters
Former President Trump escalates his tech industry crusade with a direct assault on Microsoft's leadership.
THE SECURITY SHOWDOWN
Trump's demand targets Lisa Monaco, Microsoft's key security executive, citing unspecified national security threats. The move signals growing political pressure on Big Tech's Washington ties.
Microsoft finds itself caught between political crossfires while maintaining government contracts worth billions. The timing couldn't be worse—just as AI infrastructure becomes the new battlefield in global tech dominance.
Wall Street analysts yawned, noting that political theater rarely impacts quarterly earnings—unless it actually affects the share price, which is all that really matters anyway.
This confrontation reveals how national security arguments become weapons in corporate power struggles. When politicians play tech executive, everyone loses except the lawyers billing by the hour.
Elevate Your Investing Strategy:
- Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 55% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence.
In a post on Truth Social, TRUMP argued that Monaco’s position at Microsoft, given the company’s “major contracts with the United States Government,” provides her with access to highly sensitive information.
He claimed Monaco had been stripped of her security clearances and banned from federal properties due to “many wrongful acts.” He added, “It is my opinion that Microsoft should immediately terminate the employment of Lisa Monaco.”
Monaco, who previously served as a security aide for former President Barack Obama and as Deputy Attorney General under former President Joe Biden, joined MSFT in June 2025 to lead its global government engagement strategy.
Recent Developments
Trump’s demand came just one day after the U.S. Department of Justice indicted former FBI Director James Comey, a MOVE Trump had long pushed for.
It also coincides with Microsoft’s announcement that it WOULD cut off cloud and AI services to a unit of the Israeli military following an internal investigation into alleged surveillance of Palestinian phone calls.
Trump’s call to fire Monaco is part of a broader pattern of targeting former officials who served in prior administrations. In recent months, he has revoked security clearances from key national security figures, called for charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, and replaced U.S. attorneys who declined to pursue politically charged cases.
Is MSFT Stock a Good Buy?
Turning to Wall Street, MSFT stock has a Strong Buy consensus rating based on 33 Buys and one Hold assigned in the last three months. At $624.08, the average Microsoft stock price target implies a 24.49% upside potential.
