Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is co-hosting a black-tie reception in Washington, D.C., to celebrate President-elect Donald Trump’s victory. Scheduled for Inauguration Day, the reception will take place before the evening inaugural balls and is expected to last three and a half hours. Co-hosts include GOP mega-donor Miriam Adelson, former Republican National Committee finance chair Todd Ricketts and his wife Sylvie Légère, and Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, who was recently nominated by Trump as ambassador to Italy.
The event highlights a shift in Zuckerberg’s political visibility. Historically, Zuckerberg avoided public affiliations with high-profile political events. He did not host or co-host similar receptions for President Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration or Trump’s 2017 swearing-in. His recent efforts, including a $1 million donation to Trump’s inaugural fund and the discontinuation of Meta’s fact-checking program, signal a strategic alignment with the incoming GOP administration.
This approach aligns with moves by other technology industry leaders seeking favor with a Republican-led administration expected to influence the tech sector significantly. Zuckerberg has also attended several meetings with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in recent months, further solidifying connections with key GOP figures.
Demand for involvement in inaugural celebrations has surged among corporate leaders, with reports indicating companies and executives are making substantial contributions to Trump’s inaugural committee, despite no guarantees of attendance at these exclusive events.
This high-profile reception marks a notable moment for Zuckerberg and underscores the growing intersection of technology and politics in the nation’s capital.
