Amazon and Meta decided to support Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony with significant financial contributions. Amazon announced a donation of US$1 million to the event fund, in addition to broadcasting the ceremony on its Prime Video platform, which adds up to an in-kind support also valued at US$1 million.
For its part, Meta confirmed a donation of the same amount, a move that underscores the interest of these companies in maintaining a more favorable relationship with the incoming administration. These actions come in a context of reconciliation between technology leaders and Trump, who had differences in the past.
Amazon: Bezos Seeks a New Approach to Trump
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has been more upbeat toward Trump compared to previous years. After a strained relationship marked by mutual criticism, Bezos recently expressed confidence in the president-elect’s economic proposals, particularly on reducing regulations.
In the past, Trump singled out Bezos for criticism, including from Amazon and The Washington Post. However, the conciliatory tone adopted by the businessman suggests an interest in putting those clashes behind.
Meta: Zuckerberg and His Outreach to Conservative Circles
Meta has also taken advantage of the juncture to try to redefine his relationship with Trump. Despite previous tensions, such as the suspension of the former president’s Facebook account following the Capitol Hill incidents in 2021, Zuckerberg has shown signs of rapprochement. Although Trump maintains criticism of the Meta CEO, the financial endorsement demonstrates an effort to lessen the polarization between the two.
Tech companies have played an important role in past inauguration ceremonies, although not always with the same intensity. This time, the sums contributed by Amazon and Meta reflect a change in their political influence strategies.
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