Donald Trump attracted a mix of influential business leaders and tech moguls as he was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday. The ceremony symbolized a pivotal moment in Trump’s evolving relationship with Silicon Valley and other industries. Once marked by skepticism and public criticism, his interactions with the tech sector show signs of collaboration and strategic alignment.

For many of these leaders, attending the inauguration provided an opportunity to establish—or strengthen—ties with the administration. The event also reflected Trump’s growing influence across diverse sectors, including finance and technology.

Tech Titans Take Center Stage

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, attended the inauguration after spending millions to support Trump’s campaign. A frequent visitor to Mar-a-Lago, Musk has played a significant role in Trump’s second administration. Trump had previously appointed Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While Ramaswamy has stepped down, Musk remains a prominent figure in Trump’s circle. 

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg attended with his wife, Priscilla Chan. The couple was seated on the inaugural platform. Zuckerberg later posted an American flag emoji with the caption “Optimistic and celebrating.” Meta donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund and introduced several changes this year influenced by Trump’s policies. “His reaction to being shot at a rally was badass,” Zuckerberg said, referring to a 2024 campaign incident in which Trump was the victim of an assassination attempt.

Jeff Bezos also attended with his fiancée, Lauren Sánchez. The Amazon founder recently expressed optimism about Trump’s second term after meeting with the president at Mar-a-Lago. “What I’ve seen so far is he is calmer than he was the first time and more settled,” Bezos said at a recent summit. 

While once critical of Trump, Bezos now supports his focus on reducing regulations and creating a more business-friendly environment. 

Expanding Attendance Beyond Tech

Apple CEO Tim Cook made a personal $1 million donation to Trump’s inaugural fund. Cook credits Trump’s administration with helping Apple expand into India’s retail market and called the collaboration pivotal for the company’s growth.

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, also attended and voiced support for Trump’s commitment to reducing bureaucratic barriers. “The thing I really deeply agree with the president on is, that it is wild how difficult it has become to build things in the United States,” Altman noted.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew joined the event just days after Trump delayed an American ban on the platform. “We appreciate his commitment to work with us to find a solution that keeps TikTok available in the United States,” Chew said. His comments point to ongoing discussions between TikTok and the administration.

Global Business Leaders and Billionaires Respond

Rupert Murdoch, chairman emeritus of NewsCorp, attended the inauguration alongside Bernard Arnault, CEO of luxury conglomerate LVMH. Arnault was joined by his children, Delphine and Alexandre, who hold leadership roles in Dior and Moët Hennessy.

Miriam Adelson co-hosted an evening reception with notable figures such as Meta’s Zuckerberg and Chicago Cubs co-owner Todd Ricketts. Adelson is a long-time GOP megadonor who has remained one of Trump’s key supporters. 

A close friend of Trump, Las Vegas magnate Phil Ruffin, attended with his wife, Oleksandra Nikolayenko. Ruffin has been Trump’s steadfast ally for decades and was one of many casino industry leaders who participated in the festivities. 

Responses From Industry Icons

Corporate leaders who could not attend shared messages online. Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and Apple’s Tim Cook congratulated Trump via social media. 

Trump’s inauguration marked a new chapter for his administration that encourages closer ties with industries that once viewed him with skepticism. As these business leaders sync their strategies with the administration’s policies, the inauguration signals a shift toward enhanced collaboration between government and private companies.