Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg are set to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, signaling potentially seismic shifts in relationships between the tech titans and the incoming administration. Former First Lady Michelle Obama, however, has confirmed she will not attend, following her absence from the recent funeral of former President Jimmy Carter.
According to NBC News, both Bezos and Zuckerberg will be seated next to Elon Musk along with other high-profile guests:
They will have a prominent spot at the ceremony, seated together on the platform with other notable guests including Trump’s Cabinet nominees and elected officials.
The three tech titans have all made attempts to earn favor with Trump in the past year, led by Musk donating more than a quarter-billion dollars in campaign funds to help elect Trump. The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX — and the co-lead of a new Trump administration advisory body called DOGE — Musk has frequently been at Trump’s side since endorsing him for president in July.
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The three men are among the wealthiest people in the world with fortunes based on the tech boom of the past two decades. Musk ranks No. 1, Bezos No. 2 and Zuckerberg No. 3, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Their combined net worth: $885 billion as of Monday, according to Bloomberg.
Bezos Attends Amid Washington Post Controversy
Bezos’ decision comes one day after The Washington Post, owned by the Amazon founder, endorsed Pam Bondi as a “qualified” and “serious” candidate for attorney general. The editorial board’s announcement followed the resignation of prominent columnist Jennifer Rubin, a vocal critic of Trump. Rubin accused Bezos and other billionaires of enabling “the most acute threat to American democracy—Donald Trump.”
Bezos has faced criticism in recent months from liberal circles, particularly after the Post refrained from endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in the final weeks before the presidential election.
Zuckerberg’s Attendance and Meta’s Shift Toward Free Speech
Mark Zuckerberg’s presence at the inauguration follows Meta’s $1 million donation to Trump’s inaugural fund, a stark departure from the company’s previous tensions with the Trump administration. This week, Zuckerberg announced significant changes to Meta’s content moderation policies, pledging to emphasize free speech.
“We’re going to get rid of fact-checkers and replace them with community notes, similar to X, starting in the U.S.,” Zuckerberg stated. The policy marks a notable shift in how the tech giant manages user content, with Zuckerberg framing the changes as a return to Meta’s “roots around free expression.”
Michelle Obama Opts Out
Michelle Obama’s office has offered no explanation for her decision to skip Trump’s inauguration, though she was notably absent from former President Carter’s funeral last Thursday, citing a scheduling conflict. A spokesperson confirmed that she was in Hawaii at the time but extended condolences to the Carter family.
“Mrs. Obama sends her thoughts and prayers to the Carter family and all who were inspired by the remarkable former President,” said spokesperson Crystal Carson.
Observers noted that Michelle’s absence at the funeral altered seating arrangements, leading to former President Donald Trump sitting next to Barack Obama. The two were seen engaging in conversation before the service began—a rare interaction between the longtime political rivals.
Michelle Obama’s Influence and Trump Tensions
Michelle Obama has been a vocal advocate for Vice President Kamala Harris, emerging as a prominent campaign surrogate during Harris’ unsuccessful presidential bid. Her impassioned speeches, including a viral moment in October urging voters to support Harris.
“We all know we have a lot more work to do in this country,” Michelle said during a rally in Kalamazoo, Michigan. “But to anyone out there thinking about sitting out this election, or voting for Donald Trump…let me warn you, your rage does not exist in a vacuum. If we don’t get this election right, your wife, your daughter, your mother—we as women—will become collateral damage.”
Michelle Obama: If we don't get this election right, your wife, your daughter, your mother, we as women will become collateral damage to your rage. So are you as men prepared to look into the eyes of the women you love and tell them you supported this assault? pic.twitter.com/ipPpIeoRtw
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 26, 2024
While Michelle’s decision to skip the inauguration reflects ongoing tensions with Trump, Barack Obama appeared more willing to engage, as evidenced by his cordial conversation with Trump at Carter’s funeral.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2025
Ya really need Moochelle?
obama is not missed!!!! The only good calls she’s ever made. Not showing up !
How true.
Who care about her? I don’t think she will be missed.