There's no "instead". This story is extremely relevant to the many HNers who run tech companies or make regulatory decisions on their behalf. They need to know that tech regulations are written by executive fiat now, they can't trust that any statutory text means what it says, and many of their competitors are seeking out ways to bribe the Trump regime for regulatory advantages.

I understand that a lot of those people enjoy the polite fiction that partisan controversies in Washington have nothing to do with their jobs. I do too, and I hope that we can get back to a world where it's practical soon. But sticking your head in the sand won't save you.

I'd expect them to be especially interested! It's virtually certain that some number of YC companies over the next four years will find themselves in a similar position to TikTok over the next four years, wondering whether they can get away with bribing Trump to rewrite a law in their favor.