High-profile meetings at Mar-a-Lago depict a new landscape where major tech giants aim to align themselves with Trump's administration.
Billionaire Tech Leaders Cozy Up to Trump Ahead of Second Term
Billionaire Tech Leaders Cozy Up to Trump Ahead of Second Term
As President-elect Donald Trump gears up for his second term, billionaire tech moguls are increasingly seeking his favor, suggesting a major shift in political alliances.
Trump’s second term is shaping up to be markedly influenced by the tech elite. On Thursday, he lightheartedly declared, “EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND!!!” signaling the growing interest from powerful business figures, particularly following recent gatherings at his Palm Beach estate.
A notable dinner hosted by Trump on Wednesday included Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, marking a surprising thaw in their previously frosty relationship that had been exacerbated by critical coverage of Trump in The Washington Post, owned by Bezos. Reflecting on Trump’s plans, Bezos expressed intent to support efforts to reduce regulation, showcasing a willingness among tech leaders to back the incoming administration.
Joining Bezos were other billionaires including Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, OpenAI's Sam Altman, and Tesla/X's Elon Musk, all of whom are rumored to contribute to Trump's inauguration fund. The dynamic creates a significant alignment of interests as leading figures from Silicon Valley express their desire to influence the future regulatory environment.
Musk, who characterized the dinner as a “great conversation,” is positioned as a key ally, co-leading the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Meanwhile, Zuckerberg’s donations and previous engagements at Mar-a-Lago further emphasize his strategic effort to stay connected with Trump.
The series of meetings not only highlight the shift in attitudes among the billionaire class toward Trump but also reflect an overarching trend where business interests and politics increasingly intertwine — a development that could reshape policies across the technology sector and beyond in the months to come.
A notable dinner hosted by Trump on Wednesday included Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, marking a surprising thaw in their previously frosty relationship that had been exacerbated by critical coverage of Trump in The Washington Post, owned by Bezos. Reflecting on Trump’s plans, Bezos expressed intent to support efforts to reduce regulation, showcasing a willingness among tech leaders to back the incoming administration.
Joining Bezos were other billionaires including Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, OpenAI's Sam Altman, and Tesla/X's Elon Musk, all of whom are rumored to contribute to Trump's inauguration fund. The dynamic creates a significant alignment of interests as leading figures from Silicon Valley express their desire to influence the future regulatory environment.
Musk, who characterized the dinner as a “great conversation,” is positioned as a key ally, co-leading the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Meanwhile, Zuckerberg’s donations and previous engagements at Mar-a-Lago further emphasize his strategic effort to stay connected with Trump.
The series of meetings not only highlight the shift in attitudes among the billionaire class toward Trump but also reflect an overarching trend where business interests and politics increasingly intertwine — a development that could reshape policies across the technology sector and beyond in the months to come.
