In a flurry of negotiations following President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Google has significantly accelerated its acquisition of Israeli cybersecurity firm Wiz, elevating its offer from an initial $23 billion to a whopping $32 billion—one of the largest tech deals in history.
Sources familiar with the matter say that a more favorable antitrust outlook under the new administration was the decisive factor in reviving and sweetening the deal.
Executives revealed that discussions, which had stalled less than a year ago, gained renewed momentum just eight weeks after Trump took office. Key appointments in the White House—particularly within antitrust circles—instilled confidence in both Google and Wiz that regulatory scrutiny would be less severe than anticipated. “The prospect of a friendlier review process made it hard for Wiz executives to turn down the revised offer,” one source said.
The deal, now valued 39% higher than the original bid, includes a reverse breakup fee exceeding $3.2 billion—more than 10% of the total transaction value. This fee, intended to compensate Wiz if the deal collapses due to regulatory reasons, dwarfs typical breakup fees that usually range between 4% and 7% of the deal’s value, according to industry studies.
Wiz’s new Chief Financial Officer, Fazal Merchant—who joined the company in January—and CEO Assaf Rappaport have been instrumental in finalizing the agreement, while Google’s cloud chief Thomas Kurian played a pivotal role in shaping the deal’s framework. Sources indicated that prior to Trump's inauguration, negotiations were sporadic, but regular meetings commenced soon after key antitrust officials were appointed, including Andrew Ferguson at the FTC and Gail Slater at the Justice Department.
The revised offer not only makes the deal economically attractive, with Wiz reportedly generating over $700 million in annualized revenue and experiencing 70% annual revenue growth, but also addresses concerns raised by Wiz’s venture-capital backers. Many had been wary following the collapse of Adobe's $20 billion attempt to acquire Figma due to antitrust challenges, and were particularly anxious about potential regulatory hurdles under the previous administration led by FTC Chair Lina Khan.
While it remains unclear if Google and Wiz engaged in preemptive discussions with U.S. antitrust authorities—a tactic employed by some companies to smooth the regulatory path—the Trump administration’s actions have, at least according to sources, provided a more predictable environment for the deal’s completion.
Bank of America advised Google on the transaction, with Goldman Sachs advising Wiz. Neither Google, Wiz, nor officials from the White House and Justice Department have immediately responded to requests for comment.
As the deal now nears its final stages, industry watchers are noting how shifts in U.S. regulatory policy can dramatically alter the dynamics of major tech acquisitions, setting a precedent for future transactions in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
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Britain's King Charles has called on the world to work toward lasting peace and preventing future wars during a speech marking the end of four days of events celebrating the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
Before becoming Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost shared rare insights on faith, unity, and modern challenges in a few candid interviews.
A humanitarian ship carrying 20,000 tons of Ukrainian wheat docked in Samsun, Türkiye, on Thursday, marking a major World Food Program initiative to supply crisis-hit regions, including Syria.
North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un supervised a missile test on Thursday, emphasizing the nation's nuclear combat readiness, according to state media KCNA.
EU foreign ministers will visit Lviv, Ukraine, on May 9 to discuss defense support and endorse plans for a tribunal on war crimes and aggression.
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