Amazon is donating $1 million in cash and an additional $1 million in in-kind support for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, sources confirmed Thursday. The in-kind contribution will include streaming the event on Amazon Video, marking a high-profile gesture of goodwill as tech leaders seek closer relationships with Trump’s incoming administration.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is also expected to meet with Trump in person in the coming days, signaling a potential thaw in their historically rocky relationship. This move comes as other tech giants, including Meta, have similarly pivoted to engage more closely with the president-elect, who has adopted a friendlier tone toward the industry.
Bezos and Trump: From Criticism to Cooperation
Bezos and Trump have a history of public feuds. In 2015, Trump criticized Bezos over Amazon’s tax practices and his ownership of The Washington Post, accusing the newspaper of bias against him.
Trump tweeted, “If @amazon ever had to pay fair taxes, its stock would crash and it would crumble like a paper bag.”
More recently, Bezos stirred controversy by withholding The Washington Post’s endorsement in the 2024 presidential race. The decision led to resignations from the newspaper’s editorial board and backlash from staff and readers alike. In an op-ed, Bezos defended the move as a principled stand for journalistic independence, writing, “Presidential endorsements do nothing to tip the scales of an election. What they actually do is create a perception of bias.”
Despite past clashes, Bezos publicly praised Trump earlier this year, calling him a figure of resilience. After an assassination attempt on Trump over the summer, Bezos wrote on X, “Our former President showed tremendous grace and courage under literal fire tonight.”
Tech Leaders Pivot Toward Trump
Amazon’s donation is part of a broader trend of tech companies adjusting their relationships with Trump. Meta, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, also announced a $1 million donation to Trump’s inaugural fund. This marks a significant shift for the company, which had banned Trump from its platforms following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots.
Zuckerberg and Trump recently met privately at Mar-a-Lago, underscoring Meta’s strategic re-engagement with the incoming administration.
A Shift in Trump’s Tech Relations
Trump has softened his rhetoric toward tech companies, many of which he once blamed for his 2020 electoral defeat. He has also touted his private meetings with tech leaders, framing them as evidence of his influence and the industry’s alignment with his economic vision.
Despite this newfound warmth, tensions remain. In his recently published book, Trump appeared to issue a veiled threat to Zuckerberg, writing, “If he does anything illegal this time, he will spend the rest of his life in prison — as will others who cheat in the 2024 Presidential Election.”
Bezos Denies Favor-Currying Allegations
Bezos’s meeting with Trump also coincided with a separate discussion between Trump and executives from Blue Origin, the space exploration company founded by Bezos. Critics have questioned whether Bezos’s decision to withhold The Washington Post’s endorsement was an effort to curry favor with Trump.
In response, Bezos denied any connection, stating in his op-ed, “I had no advance knowledge of the meeting.”
Tech Giants and Trump’s Second Term
As Trump prepares to take office again, the rapprochement with tech leaders like Bezos and Zuckerberg reflects a strategic shift by both sides. For tech companies, aligning with the administration could secure favorable policies amid regulatory pressures and a rapidly evolving political landscape.
For Trump, embracing once-critical tech giants strengthens his narrative of building broad coalitions to support his presidency, particularly as he eyes a transformative second term.
Looking Ahead
Amazon’s $2 million commitment and Bezos’s forthcoming meeting with Trump mark a pivotal moment in the relationship between Big Tech and the president-elect. As both sides recalibrate their strategies, the dynamics of this alliance will likely influence the tech industry’s role in shaping Trump’s second term.
