Amazon plans to contribute $2 million in combined cash and services to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, marking a significant shift in the relationship between the tech giant and the incoming administration, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The company confirmed Thursday it will provide $1 million in direct funding and an additional $1 million worth of in-kind support through streaming services on Amazon Video. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is expected to meet with Trump in the coming days, joining other technology leaders seeking to establish stronger ties with the incoming administration.
The donation follows a pattern of major technology companies working to rebuild relationships with Trump. Meta announced Wednesday a $1 million contribution to the inaugural fund, shortly after CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s private meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. This represents a notable change in Meta’s stance toward Trump following his platform ban after the January 6, 2021, insurrection.
The warming of relations comes despite previous tensions between Trump and these technology leaders. Trump had previously criticized Bezos over his ownership of The Washington Post and Amazon’s tax practices, while Bezos recently faced controversy over his decision to withhold the Post’s presidential endorsement for 2024.
In explaining that decision, Bezos wrote in an op-ed that presidential endorsements create “a perception of bias” while doing little to influence voters. The move led to significant internal upheaval at the Post, including editorial board resignations and subscription cancellations.
The reconciliation efforts extend beyond media interests to Bezos’s space venture, Blue Origin, which has also engaged in discussions with Trump’s team. These developments signal a broader realignment between Silicon Valley leadership and the president-elect, despite their historically complex relationships.
