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America’s billionaire class was well represented at Donald Trump’s Inauguration

As photos and videos emerge from the event, it is clear that one class in America is looking to be heard in the incoming adminstration: the ultra-rich.

From left, Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos and Sundar Pichai arrive before the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States takes place inside the Capitol Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., Monday, January 20, 2025. It is the 60th U.S. presidential inauguration and the second non-consecutive inauguration of Trump as U.S. president. Kenny Holston/Pool via REUTERS
Kenny Holstonvia REUTERS

As Donald Trump prepares to take office for the second time, his reputation continues to improve, at least publically, among the richest people in the world, some of whom attended his inauguration on Monday, January 20, after donating to the fund that grants special access to incoming administration officials. In a post-Citizens United country, the super-rich can exert their power over the political system, and the increasing closeness of some of the country’s wealthiest people has become unable to be ignored.

As the swearing-in ceremony is about to begin, the public is getting a sneak peek at who was invited to one of Washington’s most coveted events. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and owner of X, was seen mingling with Google CEO Sundar Pichai as they awaited the start of the event.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: CEO of Google Sundar Pichai and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk attend the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States.     Chip Somodevilla/Pool via REUTERS
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: CEO of Google Sundar Pichai and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk attend the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. Chip Somodevilla/Pool via REUTERSChip Somodevillavia REUTERS

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and owner of The Washington Post, was seen in attendance with his fiancée, Lauren Sánchez. Bezos has faced criticism for allegedly abusing his role as owner of the Post by censoring anti-Trump content, including images of him and other billionaires funneling money to the incoming president. Additionally, he blocked the editorial board of the paper from endorsing a candidate in the 2024 election, a move that many within the Democratic establishment saw as supporting the former president in his bid to retake the White House.

From left, Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos and Sundar Pichai arrive before the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States takes place inside the Capitol Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., Monday, January 20, 2025. It is the 60th U.S. presidential inauguration and the second non-consecutive inauguration of Trump as U.S. president. Kenny Holston/Pool via REUTERS
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From left, Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos and Sundar Pichai arrive before the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States takes place inside the Capitol Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., Monday, January 20, 2025. It is the 60th U.S. presidential inauguration and the second non-consecutive inauguration of Trump as U.S. president. Kenny Holston/Pool via REUTERSKenny Holstonvia REUTERS

Tucked between Donald Trump’s nominees for his cabinet was Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, whose company owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Zuckerberg has changed his stance in recent months, aligning himself with Trump and criticizing the Biden administration for what he describes as overreach in the operations of his business. However, there is much speculation regarding what might be driving this closer relationship, particularly as the Federal Trade Commission prepares to announce its decision on whether the company has engaged in anti-competitive practices that helped it secure a significant portion of the global social media market.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Meta and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (C) and his wife Priscilla Chan speak with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) (L), President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of State as they arrive to inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States.     Chip Somodevilla/Pool via REUTERS
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Meta and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (C) and his wife Priscilla Chan speak with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) (L), President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of State as they arrive to inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. Chip Somodevilla/Pool via REUTERSChip Somodevillavia REUTERS

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