Even so, Mr Ellison remains the world’s fifth-richest man, and Oracle the third-biggest software firm. He has a thing or two to teach fellow tech titans, in particular his friend Elon Musk, about staying power.

He previously floated a joint venture, saying that the US should be entitled to half of the app.

The tech billionaire and top Trump ally visited the General Services Administration, which appears to be a key part of his crusade to cut the cost of government buildings.