Had free software existed in the 50's this would probably have been the case but nowadays free software is seen as the free (in beer as well as speech) alternat

Had free software existed in the 50's this would probably have been the case but nowadays free software is seen as the free (in beer as well as speech) alternative to products from those same companies which like to push all sorts of politicised drivel which the typical American right-winger is outright allergic to. When 'big tech' is in cahoots with the "democratic" party and allows their products to be used to push "democratic" stratagems those products and companies become tainted in the eyes of those who oppose that party and its policies. It is a bit like that Star Wars quote about someone squeezing too hard which makes star systems slip from his grip.