SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son is back with another big-money promise, announcing a $100 billion investment in the U.S. over the next four years during a visit to President-elect Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home.
The deal, aimed at creating 100,000 jobs focused on AI and infrastructure, mirrors Son’s earlier pledge in 2016—except this time, the number’s doubled.
AI, Jobs, and Trump’s “Double Down” Moment
Son’s confidence in America’s economy under Trump’s leadership was loud and clear: “President Trump is a double-down president. I’m going to have to double down.” Trump, always playing to win, called the pledge “historic” and a testament to America’s future in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
The money will likely come from SoftBank’s usual sources—its Vision Fund, capital projects, or chipmaker Arm Holdings—including their recent $1.5 billion investment in OpenAI. So, while not all of it may be fresh funds, the promise still packs a punch.
And Then Came the Joke…
The real kicker? Trump’s now-viral quip. After Son announced the $100 billion figure, Trump smirked and shot back: “Can you make it $200 billion?” Imagine Son pulling out one of those giant novelty checks right there on the Mar-a-Lago lawn.
SoftBank’s doubling down, Trump’s doubling up—somewhere, America’s tech sector is grinning.
And honestly, Trump might not have been joking.