Tech Titans Attend Trump’s Inauguration, Signaling Shifting Alliances

WASHINGTON (AP) — Some of the world’s wealthiest tech executives, including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Sundar Pichai, were among the prominent guests at Donald Trump‘s second presidential inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. The event, held in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, marked a notable shift in alliances as these tech leaders, who had previously supported Democratic causes, now appeared to align with the incoming Republican administration.

Photos from the ceremony showed Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, seated alongside Bezos, founder of Amazon, and Pichai, CEO of Google. Other attendees included Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. The presence of these tech billionaires, who collectively represent trillions of dollars in wealth, underscored the growing influence of the tech industry in U.S. politics.

Trump, who has often positioned himself as a populist leader, addressed the unusual gathering during a press briefing in the Oval Office. “They did desert [Biden],” Trump said, referring to the tech executives. “They were all with him, every one of them, and now they are all with me.” He emphasized that their support was not transactional, stating, “They’re not going to get anything from me. I don’t need money, but I do want the nation to do well.”

The event also highlighted the close ties between Trump and Musk, who reportedly contributed over $200 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign. Musk, the world’s richest person with a net worth of $449 billion, has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s policies, particularly on issues like federal budget cuts and regulatory reform.

In his outgoing address, former President Joe Biden warned of the dangers of concentrated power among tech billionaires. “The U.S. was becoming an oligarchy of tech billionaires wielding dangerous levels of power and influence on the nation,” Biden said. His remarks contrasted sharply with the celebratory tone of Trump’s inauguration, where tech leaders were seen mingling with Trump’s incoming Cabinet members, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The inauguration also featured appearances by Trump’s family members and other high-profile guests, including Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance. The event marked a new chapter in the relationship between the tech industry and the federal government, with implications for policy, regulation, and the broader economy.