"Even Big Tech knows which way the wind's blowing" — Internet reacts to Jeff Bezos’ Amazon planning $1M donation to Trump inauguration

According to a report by Forbes dated December 12, 2024, Jeff Bezos' Amazon is reportedly planning to donate $1 million to Donald Trump's inauguration. The publication mentioned that Bezos was following the footsteps of Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, who donated the same amount to the President-elect's inauguration.

A CNN report dated December 12, 2024, regarding Jeff Bezos' donation to Donald Trump's inauguration, states that the Amazon founder is expected to visit with the President-elect in the coming days.

The publication mentioned that Trump and Bezos spoke over the summer following the first assassination attempt on Trump on July 13, 2024. Additionally, Amazon will contribute $1 million in cash to the inauguration and make an in-kind donation of $1 million by streaming the event on Amazon Video, as confirmed by the company to CNN.

Internet users took to X to express their opinions on Jeff Bezos' Amazon donating to the President-elect's inauguration, given the two did not share amicable views about one another before. Commenting on the same, an X user tweeted:

"Even Big Tech knows which way the wind's blowing. they’re finally getting the memo."

"Big Tech scrambling to get in Trump's good graces? Predictable." an X user commented

"Interesting. First Zuck now Bezos." another X user mentioned

"These CEOs are playing ball knowing President Trump is in charge." an internet user said

Additionally, netizens also speculated how the donation is a coverup and the real intent behind CEOs like Zuckerberg and Bezos donating is to stop Trump from going after them:

"It’s wild how much they are all kissing the ring because they are afraid he’s going to go after them. He should do it anyway. 🤣" an X user tweeted

"This is beginning to look more like a fee to get a sit down meeting than it is a "donation". Not sure that I like this, especially after seeing Justin Sun also buying up the largest portion of his token sales and get named as a project advisor." a netizen commented

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"I’m actually very optimistic this time around": Jeff Bezos comments on Donald Trump's second term as President

Jeff Bezos and Donald Trump have often commented on one another, with one prominent instance being in 2016 when Bezos stated that Trump's desire to lock up Hillary Clinton or refuse to accept a loss in that year's election erodes democracy around the edges.

On the other hand, Trump tweeted in 2017, that Amazon was doing "great damage to tax-paying retailers" and claimed that the company is hurting towns, cities, and states, throughout the U.S.

However, in a change of scenario, according to a report by CNBC dated December 4, 2024, Jeff Bezos spoke affirmatively about Donald Trump's second term as President at The New York Times' DealBook Summit. Bezos said:

“I’m actually very optimistic this time around. He seems to have a lot of energy around reducing regulation. If I can help do that, I’m going to help him.”

Additionally, Jeff Bezos also ended his nine-month hiatus on X after the first assassination of Trump took place in July 2024 in Pennsylvania. On July 14, 2024, Bezos tweeted:

"Our former President showed tremendous grace and courage under literal fire tonight. So thankful for his safety and so sad for the victims and their families."

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In other news, according to a report by Business Insider dated December 9, 2024, the recent elections were the first time in decades that The Washington Post newspaper owned by Jeff Bezos didn't publish endorsements of presidential candidates.

Additionally, the report mentioned that Bezos allegedly blocked an endorsement of Trump's opposition Kamala Harris that was already drafted. The Amazon CEO said that publishing endorsements creates the perception of bias.