Tech titans and billionaires were granted prime viewing spots today as they witnessed Donald Trump's second inauguration.Among those in attendance were Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai and Mark Zuckerberg, who stood behind Donald Trump's family members at the ceremony.The presence of industry heavyweights highlighted their growing alignment with Trump after his electoral victory, echoing the "tech-industrial complex" that President Joe Biden had cautioned about in his farewell address in the Oval Office.LIVE: Trump declares 'golden age of America' is starting as he becomes 47th president
From left, Priscilla Chan, Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk at the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP) (AP)Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Apple chief executive Tim Cook also attended the ceremony at St John's Church, according to the BBC.TikTok chief executive Shou Zi Chou was also spotted in the church.Many of the tech titans in attendance not only control massive wealth but also hold the reins on some of the most powerful networks in the world.Musk's attendance came as no surprise, given he plowed at least $260 million (AUD $415 million) into efforts to send Trump back to the White House, according to CNN.The massive infusion makes him one of the largest single political underwriters of a presidential campaign.Elon Musk on the phone during Trump's moment of triumphView GalleryThe Tesla and SpaceX executive gave a total of $238 million (AUD $380million) to a super PAC that he founded this year, America PAC, which worked to turn out voters on Trump's behalf in key states.Musk is currently the richest person in the world, worth AUD $639 billion.The inauguration comes nearly a month after Zuckerberg, the chief executive of Meta, announced changes to content moderation on Facebook and Instagram—changes long sought by conservatives.Zuckerberg is worth AUD $338 billion.
Elon Musk arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration. (AP)
Open AI CEO Sam Altman, center, speaks with boxer Jake Paul and wrestler Logan Paul. (AP)Trump had previously suggested that the new approach was "probably" a result of threats he made against the tech mogul.Meanwhile, influencers and fighters Jake and Logan Paul, Open AI CEO Sam Altman along with controversial Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor, were also at the ceremony. .
