In the run-up to Donald Trump’s inauguration as President for the next four years, leading figures and corporations in the technology sector are making substantial monetary contributions. Amazon, under the stewardship of billionaire Jeff Bezos, plans to contribute $1 million to the inauguration fund and will broadcast the event on Prime, which is equivalent to an additional $1 million donation. This information was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, headed by Mark Zuckerberg, also intends to donate $1 million to the inauguration fund. Additionally, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has plans to personally donate $1 million, as reported by Fox News Digital. Altman has expressed his enthusiasm for the Trump administration’s potential to advance America in the era of artificial intelligence (AI).
Elon Musk, the wealthiest person globally and CEO of X, Tesla, and SpaceX, has been a consistent supporter of Trump, having spent $277 million to aid his election campaign. CBS News has also reached out to Reddit and other major corporations like Walmart, Home Depot, and Target, who have a history of donating to inauguration funds, for information regarding their plans.
Google had donated $285,000 to Biden’s inauguration fund four years ago, but so far, they have not announced any plans to contribute to Trump’s. Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, is reportedly planning to meet with Trump. Tech CEOs have been visiting Trump at Mar-a-Lago, observing changes or softening in his demeanor during face-to-face meetings.
Tech CEOs were initially hesitant to donate to Trump’s first inauguration committee after his victory in 2016. His 2017 inauguration raised an impressive $107 million, with the biggest donors being associated with sports teams, casinos, venture capital firms, and banks. Sheldon Adelson, the late founder of Las Vegas Sands, was the most generous donor at $5 million. However, prominent tech leaders were not as generous with their donations during Trump’s first term.
The Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, Inc., a nonprofit organization responsible for planning inaugural events, can accept unlimited donations. The committee is co-chaired by former Sen. Kelly Loeffler and investor Steve Witkoff. Inaugural committees add grandeur to an inauguration, offering donors an opportunity to gain favor with the incoming administration. Donors who contribute $1 million can anticipate tickets and interaction with the incoming president, vice president, and cabinet officials.
The cost of the inauguration is not borne by taxpayers but rather by the presidential committee, which is responsible for all events except those held at the Capitol. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, funded by taxpayers, is responsible for the swearing-in ceremony and inaugural luncheon at the Capitol. The 2025 inauguration has been allocated about $3.7 million, according to the Congressional Research Service, but the actual cost to taxpayers will be significantly higher.
