President Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president of the United States on Monday brought together a striking mix of political figures, celebrities, and tech industry leaders.
High-profile attendees included Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Apple’s Tim Cook, and Google’s Sundar Pichai.
The ceremony began with a church service at St. John’s Church in Washington, D.C., where the tech leaders joined global figures such as Rupert Murdoch, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Elon Musk, who contributed nearly $300 million to Trump’s campaign, was seen marveling at the Capitol rotunda ceiling. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chou and OpenAI’s Sam Altman also attended, signaling a continued intersection between politics and technology.
A Shift in Tech Relations
Many of these executives were previously critical of Trump during his first term, particularly on issues like climate change and immigration.
However, their attendance may signal efforts to mend relations as their companies face ongoing regulatory scrutiny and antitrust investigations.
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bennett recently accused these tech leaders of attempting to curry favor with the new administration. OpenAI’s Sam Altman responded on social media, highlighting bipartisan contributions in the tech world.
Tensions Within Trump’s Circle
Not all in Trump’s orbit welcomed the tech leaders warmly. Former White House strategist Steve Bannon criticized Musk, calling him a “truly evil guy” and claiming Trump had “broken the oligarchs.”
Trump’s Renewed Influence
President Trump, who left office in 2021 amid controversy, appeared to relish the renewed support, stating on social media, “Everybody wants to be my friend!”
As the second Trump administration begins, the relationships forged at this inauguration could shape the intersection of technology and governance for years to come.
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