Amazon announced that it is planning to donate $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund.
A source close to Jeff Bezos confirmed the development, telling the Wall Street Journal that the billionaire is “donating through Amazon.” The inauguration will also be streamed through Prime Video, amounting to an additional $1 million.
Amazon contributed about $58,000 in cash and in-kind donations to Trump’s 2017 inauguration fund.
Bezos said in a recent interview with The New York Times that he feels “very optimistic” about the Trump administration.
“He seems to have a lot of energy around reducing regulation,” he said. “And my point of view, if I can help him do that, I’m going to help him because we do have too much regulation in this country. This country is so set up to grow.”
Bezos added noted that the United States is the “luckiest country in the world.”
“We have all these natural resources, including energy independence. We have the best risk capital system in the world, by far.”
After Trump won the election, Bezos wrote on X, “Big congratulations to our 45th and now 47th President on an extraordinary political comeback and decisive victory. No nation has bigger opportunities. Wishing @realDonaldTrump all success in leading and uniting the America we all love.”
Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta also donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund.
The donations by the two tech companies mark a shift for leaders who aim to improve their relationship with Trump, who previously criticized both Zuckerberg and Bezos for biased political coverage.
