Payam Javan: Amazon and Meta have announced significant contributions to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, each pledging $1 million, with Amazon adding another $1 million in-kind through live-streaming the event on Prime Video. The moves signify a shift in tech leaders’ relationships with Trump, who previously criticized Amazon and its founder Jeff Bezos over The Washington Post’s political coverage. In a sign of warming relations, Bezos has recently expressed optimism about Trump’s upcoming term, endorsing regulatory reforms, and scheduling a meeting with Trump next week.

Meta’s contribution follows its earlier contentious relationship with Trump, marked by the suspension of his Facebook and Instagram accounts after the January 6 Capitol breach. The accounts were restored in 2023, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has since praised Trump, particularly after an incident where Trump survived an attempted assassination. Zuckerberg has voiced support for some of Trump’s policies and expressed willingness to collaborate with the incoming administration on national reforms, signaling a newfound rapport.

The donations and conciliatory gestures from Amazon and Meta underscore a strategic shift in their approach to Trump’s administration. Both companies appear eager to mend past tensions and position themselves favorably under Trump’s leadership. Political observers note this as a significant turning point in the dynamic between Silicon Valley and Washington, with implications for policy and tech industry influence in the coming years.