As Donald Trump prepares to resume his work as president of united states, his inaugural fund has become a magnet for donations from some of the world’s most influential business leaders and corporations. This burgeoning financial support underscores the desire of corporate America to stay on the president-elect’s good side and influence policymaking during his next term.

Trump’s Inaugral Fund A Million-Dollar Trend

The latest big contributors to Trump’s inauguration fund include industry titans such as Ford, General Motors (GM), and Toyota, each pledging $1 million. These contributions highlight a growing trend among corporations eager to align with the new administration’s priorities.

In the financial sector, significant names have also stepped up. Ken Griffin, founder of Citadel, is reported to be contributing $1 million, while Goldman Sachs and Bank of America are making substantial but unspecified donations. The burgeoning cryptocurrency industry is not far behind, with Coinbase donating $1 million and Robinhood going a step further with a $2 million pledge.

Tech Giants Join the Fold

The technology sector has made notable contributions as well. Meta, formerly Facebook, confirmed its $1 million donation to Trump’s fund. Similarly, Amazon is not only contributing $1 million but will also air the inauguration ceremony on its Prime Video platform. Other notable tech contributions include a combined $2 million from Uber and its CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi.

Among individual donors, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has pledged $1 million of his personal funds. Altman’s statement emphasized his belief in Trump’s vision for America’s leadership in artificial intelligence (AI): “President Trump will lead our country into the age of AI, and I am eager to support his efforts to ensure America stays ahead.”

These contributions come amidst tensions between Trump and the tech sector. During his first term, Trump was a vocal critic of Big Tech and even initiated lawsuits against several companies. The donations appear to be an attempt to rebuild bridges and ensure their interests are represented in Trump’s policymaking.

Building Connections: Corporate Leaders’ Visits to Mar-a-Lago

Trump’s recent victory in November has led to a parade of CEOs extending their congratulations and seeking his favor. Many have taken phone calls with the president-elect or made visits to his Mar-a-Lago estate. These meetings have included high-profile names such as Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Tim Cook of Apple. Reports also suggest that Google CEO Sundar Pichai will meet with Trump despite the Justice Department’s ongoing antitrust case against Google, which includes calls for the company to divest its Chrome browser.

The outreach doesn’t stop at tech. Mark Zuckerberg and Trump were seen dining together at Mar-a-Lago, months after Trump’s controversial comments about potentially imprisoning the Meta CEO if reelected. Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, confirmed Zuckerberg’s intention to play an active role in shaping Trump’s technology policies.

Inauguration Day and Beyond

Trump’s influence extends far beyond private meetings. Earlier this month, he rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, a move symbolizing his close ties with corporate America. The event coincided with Trump being named Time’s Person of the Year, further cementing his stature among business leaders.

Notable attendees at the stock exchange event included Bill Ackman of Pershing Square, Jane Fraser of Citigroup, Brian Cornell of Target, Michael Miebach of Mastercard, David Solomon of Goldman Sachs, and Hans Vestberg of Verizon.

The substantial influx of donations to Trump’s inaugural fund highlights a broader strategy among corporations and business leaders to secure their place in Trump’s second-term agenda. These contributions not only symbolize goodwill but also serve as a potential leverage point in influencing policies that could shape the U.S. economy for years to come.

Trump’s ability to galvanize support from corporate heavyweights underscores his enduring influence over the business community. As his administration takes shape, the interplay between business interests and political power is poised to play a pivotal role in defining the nation’s future.