The inauguration of Donald Trump showcased an unexpected display of stagecraft as billionaire tech leaders were seated prominently ahead of his cabinet picks. Held at the Capitol rotunda due to the frigid weather in Washington, the event highlighted the influence of technology moguls in the political landscape. Notable figures such as Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, Tim Cook of Apple, Sundar Pichai of Google, Jeff Bezos of Amazon, and Elon Musk of Tesla occupied front-row seats.
Originally, these tech leaders were to sit on the dais, a position typically reserved for high honors. However, Trump's family members, former presidents, and other distinguished guests filled that space instead. This seating arrangement drew attention and criticism, with Senator Elisabeth Warren noting on social media that the tech billionaires had a superior view compared to Trump's own cabinet nominees.
"Big Tech billionaires have a front row seat at Trump’s inauguration," – Elisabeth Warren
The event attracted other high-profile attendees, including Bezos' fiancée Lauren Sanchez, TikTok's CEO Shou Zi Chew, Sam Altman of OpenAI, and Dara Khosrowshahi of Uber. Meanwhile, Democratic media commentator Ron Filipkowski pointed out the exclusion of congressional spouses from the ceremony.
"No congressional spouses were allowed in the Rotunda for the ceremony today. Different rules for the oligarchs." – Ron Filipkowski
Former President Biden expressed concern over the concentration of power among a select group of ultra-wealthy individuals. Critics saw the event as a portrayal of oligarchy and questioned the significant sway the tech industry holds over politics.
Steve Bannon, former Trump White House chief strategist, labeled the tech leaders as "supplicants" and made a historical comparison to the Japanese surrender aboard USS Missouri in 1945. Such remarks underscored the tension between political figures and technology executives.
The gathering also included international figures like Argentinian President Javier Milei and media mogul Rupert Murdoch, who attended in less prominent positions. Despite their diminished visibility, their presence added to the diverse array of influential attendees.