Amazon and Meta Make Significant Contributions
Amazon and Meta are each donating $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund. The contributions signal efforts by these tech giants to improve ties with the incoming administration following a historically tumultuous relationship.
Amazon’s donation, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, includes a $1 million in-kind contribution through Prime Video's streaming of Trump’s inauguration. Also, a company spokesperson confirmed Meta’s donation.
Evolving Relationships with Trump
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Trump have had public disagreements in the past. Trump criticized Amazon during his first term and took issue with the editorial stance of The Washington Post, which Bezos owns. For his part, Bezos had previously denounced Trump’s rhetoric and actions, including a court case in 2019 where Amazon argued that Trump’s alleged bias cost the company a $10 billion Pentagon contract.
Recently, Bezos has expressed optimism about Trump’s second term and supported some of his deregulatory plans. This marks a shift in tone, possibly indicating a strategic effort to align with the administration.
Meta’s Approach
Meta’s donation comes shortly after CEO Mark Zuckerberg met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. While Zuckerberg has not formally endorsed Trump, he has taken steps to reshape Meta’s image with conservative audiences following a strained relationship that included Trump’s removal from Facebook after the January 6 Capitol attack.
Zuckerberg’s more recent comments have shown measured praise for Trump, though Trump continues to publicly criticize the Meta CEO. In July, Trump issued a veiled warning on his Truth Social platform, calling out Zuckerberg with the nickname "ZUCKERBUCKS."
Tech Industry and Inauguration Contributions
Corporations have historically been major donors to presidential inaugurations. Trump’s 2017 inaugural fund saw contributions from several tech companies, including Google, which gave $285,000, and Amazon, which donated approximately $58,000.
Meta, however, did not donate to Trump’s 2017 or Biden’s 2021 inaugurations. Similarly, Facebook remained absent as a donor for the Biden inaugural, marking a shift with its $1 million pledge for Trump’s upcoming ceremony.
Broader Context
Corporate donations to inaugurations are often seen as a means to strengthen relationships with incoming administrations. For Amazon and Meta, the $1 million contributions represent a notable increase in support compared to past inaugurations, reflecting a strategic recalibration in how they engage with political leaders.
As Trump prepares for his second term, these tech companies appear to be navigating a complex political landscape to maintain influence and address past conflicts.
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