Sam Altman & Jeff Bezos Pledge $1M Each to Trump Inaugural Fund
Tech Titans Show Support for Incoming Administration
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos are each contributing $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund, according to reports from Fox and The Wall Street Journal. TechCrunch has independently verified Altman’s personal commitment, clarifying that OpenAI itself is not making the donation.
Silicon Valley’s Growing Support for Trump
This development follows Meta’s recent $1 million pledge to the same fund, signaling a warming relationship between tech leaders and the incoming administration. Inaugural funds traditionally cover expenses related to the presidential swearing-in ceremony and associated events.
Key Details About the Donations:
- Bezos’ Strategic Move: The Amazon executive chairman plans to visit Trump at Mar-a-Lago next week, marking a significant shift from their historically tense relationship
- Past Conflicts: During Trump’s first term, he frequently criticized Amazon’s business practices and attacked The Washington Post, which Bezos owns
- Recent Thaw: Bezos has taken steps to mend relations, including blocking a Post endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris and publicly praising Trump’s political comeback
Altman’s AI-Focused Rationale
Sam Altman, who hasn’t previously faced criticism from Trump, explained his support:
“President Trump will lead our country into the age of AI, and I am eager to support his efforts to ensure America stays ahead.”
This aligns with Silicon Valley’s expectation that the Trump administration will maintain a light regulatory touch on AI development—a stance many tech leaders believe is crucial for U.S. competitiveness.
Behind the Scenes: Tech Industry Dynamics
While Altman currently has no public disputes with Trump, he remains embroiled in a legal battle with Elon Musk over OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit model. Musk, another prominent Trump ally, has filed for an injunction to halt the change.
This wave of high-profile donations underscores the tech industry’s strategic positioning as Washington prepares for a new administration, with AI policy and regulatory approaches likely to be key areas of focus in the coming years.
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