A gathering of major tech leaders at St. John's Church signals potential shifts in business-political dynamics as inauguration approaches.
Tech Titans Unite at Trump's Pre-Inauguration Church Service
Tech Titans Unite at Trump's Pre-Inauguration Church Service
High-profile tech executives join President-elect Trump for a church service as part of his inauguration festivities.
In a momentous prelude to his inauguration, President-elect Donald Trump welcomed an array of tech giants to a church service at St. John's Church on Monday morning. Among those in attendance were Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Apple’s Tim Cook, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who all took prominent seats as the ceremony unfolded.
The congregation also featured notable figures such as media mogul Rupert Murdoch, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Interestingly, many of these business leaders previously expressed strong criticisms of Trump during his tenure, addressing concerns related to climate change and immigration policies.
As the inauguration approaches, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chou, OpenAI's Sam Altman, and Uber's Dara Khosrowshahi are expected to make appearances as well. Notably, Elon Musk, the head of SpaceX and Tesla, has garnered attention for his substantial financial backing of Trump’s campaign and his close association with the President since.
This gathering marks a significant moment, reminiscent of the 2020 congressional hearings, where leaders of the tech industry were summoned to address various controversies. Yet today, many of their companies are entangled in ongoing legal issues, including anti-monopoly lawsuits and regulatory disputes with the U.S. government.
Last week, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bennett reached out to these tech executives, accusing them of trying to align themselves with the incoming administration to evade scrutiny and regulatory pressures. Altman took to social media, humorously noting he had not received similar outreach from those favoring Democrats.
The future of this alliance between tech and Trump's administration remains uncertain, with speculation about how far the President will go in this newly formed friendship. Trump, who left his previous term with strained ties to the business sector, appears to be enjoying a resurgence of support. "Everybody wants to be my friend!!!" he remarked on social media recently, reflecting on his newfound alliances.
However, not everyone within Trump's circle is thrilled with his ties to the tech elite. Former White House strategist Steve Bannon criticized Musk, labeling him a "truly evil guy," and asserting that Trump had fundamentally challenged the power of these corporations. As events unfold in Washington, the tech industry and political landscape may shift in unexpected ways, with implications for both sides.
