Donald Trump’s inauguration: Who are the big tech CEOs queued up for the ceremony? See full guest list

Many, including giants like Apple, Amazon, Meta, Google, and Microsoft have also contributed to Trump’s inauguration fund despite past public disputes, such as Trump’s threats against Zuckerberg.

Trump acknowledged the shift, saying, “The first term, everybody was fighting me… In this term, everybody wants to be my friend. I don’t know, my personality changed or something.”

Here’s a list of Tech CEOs who are likely to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony on January 20:

Mark Zuckerberg (Meta): From banning Trump on Meta platforms to aligning with his administration, Zuckerberg has overseen a shift in Meta’s policies, ending the fact-checking program in favour of a community notes model similar to that on X.

Tim Cook (Apple): Despite past differences over tariffs on China, Cook recently dined with Trump and has historically prioritised protecting Apple’s interests over political concerns.

Apple CEO Tim Cook escorts US President Donald Trump as he tours Apple’s Mac Pro manufacturing plant with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin looking on in Austin, Texas, on November 20, 2019. (Reuters file)

Jeff Bezos (Amazon): Bezos, who expressed optimism about Trump’s second term, joined a dinner with Musk and Trump, describing it as a “great conversation”. He also pledged $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund and will stream the event on Amazon Prime Video.

Sam Altman (OpenAI): Altman donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund and voiced his support for Trump’s leadership on AI, stating, “President Trump will lead our country into the age of AI, and I am eager to support his efforts to ensure America stays ahead.”

Sundar Pichai (Google): Pichai commended Trump’s commitment to advancing AI, remarking during the NYT DealBook Summit, “I think there are real areas where I think he’s thinking about and committed to making a difference.”

Shou Chew (TikTok): Facing potential bans on TikTok in the US, Chew is relying on Trump’s administration for the platform’s survival and was invited to the inauguration by the Trump Vance Inaugural Committee.

Apart from these, Coinbase CEO, Brian Armstrong, is also invited but it was unclear if he would attend, Bloomberg reported.

The tech industry’s realignment stems from impending Congressional discussions on regulations for social media safeguards for children and artificial intelligence, as well as antitrust lawsuits against companies like Meta, Apple, Amazon, and Alphabet.

According to a report by Yahoo Finance, Deepwater Asset Management’s Gene Munster noted, “Tech companies have understood over the past five years that Washington is a bigger X factor in their future, and so there’s just a natural willingness to work more closely with the administration.”

From the homepage

‘Pakistan will have to consider if it wants to remain part of globe’: Army Chief warns against testing India’s resolve

‘Leader vanished, no remorse, it shows his and party’s mental state’: Madras High Court tears into Vijay’s TVK, faults govt leniency

Several dead in PoK unrest: The protesters’ demands, how Pakistan govt responded