Tech Titans Back Trump: Musk, Zuckerberg, Bezos to Attend Inauguration

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office for a second term, prominent tech luminaries are signaling their support by attending his inauguration. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos will be seated on the platform near cabinet officials and elected leaders, according to a person familiar with the planning of the inauguration who spoke to NBC News.

This move by tech moguls marks a significant shift in their relationship with the incoming administration. During Trump's first term, Bezos and Zuckerberg had contentious relationships with the president, with Bezos' ownership of The Washington Post and Zuckerberg's handling of misinformation on Facebook drawing Trump's ire. However, as Trump takes office for a second time, tech executives appear eager to mend fences and work together.



Tech companies have contributed generously to Trump's inaugural fund, with OpenAI, Meta, and Amazon each donating $1 million. Elon Musk, a vocal supporter of Trump, has joined the administration as an advisor, overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk has also spent time with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

The prominent attendance of tech luminaries at Trump's inauguration signals a thawing of relationships between the tech industry and the new administration. Tech companies are likely hoping to influence policy and avoid regulation in sectors like artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency where they have significant investments. By engaging with the new administration early on, tech moguls hope to foster a more cooperative relationship and avoid a repeat of the high tensions between the White House and tech leaders during Trump's first term.

As Trump takes office, tech CEOs will be watching closely to see how his administration addresses key issues such as AI regulation, cryptocurrency oversight, and social media policies. By attending the inauguration and contributing to Trump's inaugural fund, tech moguls are making it clear that they are eager to work with the new administration and shape the regulatory environment to their advantage.