Amazon Donates $1m to Trump’s Inaugural Fund as Tech Cozies up to President-elect

Amazon has joined other tech giants in donating to Donald Trump's inaugural fund, pledging $1 million. This follows similar contributions from Meta and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who each committed the same amount to the fund.

As Trump prepares to re-enter the White House, tech leaders appear eager to build relationships with the incoming administration. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is scheduled to meet with Trump next week, while Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently dined with him at Mar-a-Lago. Google CEO Sundar Pichai is also reportedly planning a meeting with the president-elect.

OpenAI's Sam Altman has expressed strong support for Trump's vision, praising him as a leader in technological innovation. Altman stated that Trump would usher America into the “age of AI” and emphasized the importance of maintaining the country's technological edge.

Donations to inaugural funds are a common practice among corporations seeking influence with new administrations. Amazon, which gave $57,746 to Trump's first inaugural fund in 2017, joins other companies such as Google and Microsoft in making contributions. Meta confirmed it did not donate to Trump's first inauguration.

This time, Trump's inaugural committee is offering exclusive perks for major donors, including tickets to events and private dinners with the president-elect and his cabinet. Such gestures may mark a shift in Trump's previously fraught relationship with Bezos, who once faced criticism from Trump over The Washington Post's coverage.

Bezos has since softened his stance, congratulating Trump on his political comeback after the election. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy echoed the sentiment, calling Trump's win a “hard-fought victory.” Amazon's stock has surged 14% since the election, underscoring the company's optimism about its future under Trump's leadership.