Tue Jan 21 04:28:29 IST 2025: ## Tech Titans Flock to Trump’s Inauguration Amidst Controversy

**Washington D.C.** – President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration celebrations saw an unprecedented gathering of tech CEOs, many of whom were vocal critics during his previous term. The event, which began with a church service at St. John’s Church, featured prominent figures like Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Tim Cook (Apple), and Sundar Pichai (Google) in attendance. Also present were Rupert Murdoch, Gianni Infantino, and former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

This display of unity is particularly striking given the ongoing legal battles and regulatory scrutiny faced by many of these tech giants. Elon Musk, who reportedly contributed nearly $300 million to Trump’s campaign, was also seen at the Capitol rotunda. Other attendees included TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chou, Sam Altman (OpenAI), and Dara Khosrowshahi (Uber).

The gathering prompted immediate criticism. Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bennett sent a letter to the executives, accusing them of seeking favor with the administration to avoid regulatory action. Sam Altman responded on social media, highlighting the perceived hypocrisy.

The alliance between Trump and Silicon Valley is not universally accepted within Trump’s own camp. Steve Bannon, former Trump White House chief strategist, labelled Elon Musk “a truly evil guy” and predicted his removal from the president’s inner circle. Bannon, however, framed the overall situation as a victory for Trump, claiming he had “broken the oligarchs.”

President-elect Trump’s upcoming policies on immigration, energy, and cultural issues are expected to have significant impact. His stated intention to combat “woke” culture adds another layer of complexity to this evolving relationship between the tech industry and the new administration. The long-term implications of this newfound camaraderie remain to be seen.

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