President Donald Trump appears to be running the country as if he were the chief executive of USA Inc. Is this the approach the nation requires?

Inside the Fortune 500 Digest: Leadership in the Trump Era

This article was featured in the January 24, 2025 issue of the Fortune 500 Digest, a newsletter that highlights the week’s top business stories and insights from Fortune 500 companies. .

What’s It Like to Lead a Fortune 500 Company Under Trump’s Second Term?

Whenever I meet with Fortune 500 CEOs behind closed doors, I always ask how it feels to operate under President Trump’s second administration. This week in Davos, where Trump and his team made a strong appearance, I posed the same question to several top executives.

Across five recent interviews, the feedback was strikingly consistent: CEOs view this president as supportive of business, a notable shift from the previous administration. As one leader put it, “It feels like he’s rooting for our success.”

Davos: A Hub for Business and Policy

The president’s pro-business stance was on full display in Davos, where he hosted a lengthy dinner and networking event for dozens of influential CEOs following his Wednesday speech. The U.S. economy, fueled in part by advancements in artificial intelligence, has been thriving—markets are climbing, and third-quarter GDP growth soared to 4.4%, surpassing forecasts.

Mixed Feelings on Presidential Style

Not every executive is comfortable with the president’s methods or public statements—one even joked that CEOs should imagine his speeches as silent films. Still, many agree that a business-oriented approach and stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors could benefit the country.

America’s Economic Landscape

The United States stands as a global leader in innovation and wealth, boasting the highest number of billionaires. Yet, the nation faces significant challenges: a rapidly growing national debt, a widening gap between rich and poor, and the threat of AI-driven job losses, especially among lower-wage workers.

What Would a Turnaround CEO Do?

If the U.S. were a company in need of a financial reset, a turnaround CEO would likely discard outdated strategies, streamline operations, invest in new opportunities, and act swiftly to stabilize the organization—regardless of critics.

The CEO-President Experiment

President Trump’s leadership is a live experiment in applying business tactics to government. He’s pushing boundaries, exploring new revenue sources like tariffs, advocating for equity stakes instead of traditional subsidies, and advancing his agenda with a bold, high-stakes approach. The results remain to be seen.

Balancing National, Business, and Personal Interests

There remains an ongoing debate about where the interests of the country, the business community, and the president himself intersect—and sometimes conflict.

Further Analysis and Features

Our latest issue of Fortune delves into President Trump’s business-inspired leadership style, examining how his dealmaking instincts shape his approach as the self-styled CEO of “USA Inc.”

Spotlight on the Trump Family and Industry Leaders

• We go inside Eric Trump’s latest venture, American Bitcoin, as he aims to become a major player in cryptocurrency mining and holdings—distinct from his father’s political activities. Eric told Fortune, “My father isn’t involved in our crypto business. I run this company, and he’s focused on leading the country.”
• Discover our profile of Demis Hassabis, Google’s AI visionary, whom I interviewed in Davos for an upcoming episode of Fortune 500 Titans and Disruptors.
• Explore our 28th annual World’s Most Admired Companies ranking, where Fortune 500 executives recognize the peers they most respect.

Find these stories and more on our website, or subscribe to Fortune magazine for expertly curated business journalism delivered straight to your door.

This article was originally published on Fortune.com.