NAIROBI, Kenya- It was a spectacle fitting the dramatic return of Donald Trump to the White House. On January 20, 2025, as Trump took the oath of office for his second term, a star-studded lineup of tech billionaires and global dignitaries gathered to mark the occasion.
From Elon Musk to Mark Zuckerberg, the event brought together a who’s who of the business and tech worlds, signaling a potential shift in Trump’s relationship with corporate America.
Among the high-profile attendees were Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg.
Tech titans Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Sundar Pichai, got a front row seat at the star-studded inaugural swearing-in ceremony for President Trump.
These industry giants took prime seats at St. John’s Church, alongside other notable figures like 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 a standout presence.
During a moment at the Capitol rotunda, the SpaceX and Tesla CEO was seen gazing up at the ornate ceiling—perhaps contemplating the weight of the moment, or maybe just admiring the architecture.
TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew also made an appearance, adding intrigue as his company navigates a complex regulatory landscape in the US.
OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi were also among the attendees, cementing the tech world’s strong presence.
This gathering of billionaires is as symbolic as it is strategic. Many of the attending companies face ongoing battles with the US government, from antitrust lawsuits to regulatory probes.
The event has sparked speculation about whether these industry leaders are seeking to “cozy up” to Trump in hopes of securing favorable outcomes.
A letter from Senators Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bennett criticized the CEOs, accusing them of trying to “limit regulation and buy favor.”
Sam Altman, head of OpenAI, didn’t hold back, cheekily posting on social media, “Funny they never sent me one of these for contributing to Democrats.”
funny, they never sent me one of these for contributing to democrats…
The tension is palpable. Trump’s newfound alliances with tech leaders are a sharp contrast to his first term when many of these figures were openly critical of his policies on climate change and immigration.
For Trump, the event wasn’t just an inauguration—it was a vindication. Once viewed as a pariah in the corporate world, he now relishes his position at the center of tech and business power.
“Everybody wants to be my friend!!!” he boasted on social media last month.
JUST IN: President-Elect Trump says “The first term everybody was fighting me. This term, everybody wants to be my friend.” “I don’t know, my personality changed or something.”
Yet, not everyone in Trump’s orbit is thrilled with this alignment. Steve Bannon has voiced harsh criticism, claiming Trump has allowed “the oligarchs” back into his fold.
Trump’s inauguration wasn’t just about the pomp and circumstance—it was a statement.
The presence of tech titans and global leaders signals a potential recalibration of Trump’s approach to business and governance in his second term.
