Amazon and Meta Donate $1M Each to Trump’s Inauguration \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Amazon and Meta have pledged $1 million each to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, signaling efforts to strengthen ties with the incoming administration. Amazon will also stream the event on Prime Video, an in-kind contribution worth an additional $1 million. The moves come amid shifting dynamics between Trump and prominent tech leaders, including Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg.
Amazon, Meta Support Trump Inauguration: Quick Looks
- Amazon’s Contribution: $1 million donation plus Prime Video streaming, worth another $1 million.
- Meta’s Donation: A $1 million pledge, following CEO Zuckerberg’s private meeting with Trump.
- Tech Relations: Both Amazon and Meta have had tense histories with Trump.
- Bezos’ Stance: Shifted from criticism to optimism about Trump’s policies and regulatory cuts.
- Corporate Donations: Inaugural funds traditionally receive significant contributions from businesses.
Deep Look
Amazon’s Expanded Role
Amazon’s donation includes both a monetary contribution and an in-kind offering to stream Trump’s inauguration on its Prime Video platform, valued at an additional $1 million. This marks a significant increase from the roughly $58,000 Amazon donated to Trump’s first inaugural fund in 2017.
The announcement came on the same day Trump revealed that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos plans to meet him in person next week. This meeting signals a potential thawing of tensions between the two, who have clashed in the past. During his first term, Trump repeatedly criticized Amazon, accusing the company of harming small businesses and avoiding taxes. He also targeted The Washington Post, owned by Bezos, over its political coverage.
Meta’s Renewed Ties
Meta’s $1 million donation follows a private meeting between CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Trump at Mar-a-Lago. The move reflects Zuckerberg’s ongoing efforts to repair the company’s strained relationship with Trump and his supporters.
Meta faced backlash after banning Trump from its platforms in the wake of the January 6 Capitol attack, a decision that was reversed in early 2023. Zuckerberg has since adopted a more neutral stance, refraining from endorsing any candidates during the 2024 election.
Corporate Support for Inaugurals
Corporate contributions have traditionally been a major source of funding for presidential inaugurations. Companies often view such donations as an opportunity to foster goodwill with incoming administrations.
While Barack Obama declined corporate donations for his 2009 inaugural, he accepted $1 million from Microsoft and other corporations for his 2013 event. Google contributed $285,000 each to Trump’s 2017 and Joe Biden’s 2021 inaugurations. Meta, by contrast, did not donate to either event, making its $1 million pledge to Trump’s 2025 inaugural a notable development.
Historical Context and Future Implications
The increased involvement of Amazon and Meta in Trump’s inauguration fund reflects shifting dynamics between the tech industry and Trump. Both companies had rocky relationships with Trump during his first term, shaped by lawsuits, regulatory scrutiny, and public criticism.
Amazon, for instance, alleged in a 2019 lawsuit that Trump’s bias cost it a $10 billion Pentagon contract. The Biden administration later split the contract between Amazon and Microsoft. Meanwhile, Meta has faced allegations of political bias and questions about its handling of misinformation on its platforms.
For Trump, securing support from leading tech firms could help bolster his image among business leaders and the public. However, lingering tensions, particularly with Zuckerberg, could continue to pose challenges as Trump begins his second term.
As corporate donations flow into the inauguration fund, the broader implications of these relationships will likely play a key role in shaping the next phase of tech policy under the Trump administration.
