President-elect Donald Trump dined Wednesday at his Mar-a-Lago resort with the world’s two richest men, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. The meeting reflects a notable shift in relations as both billionaires have previously been criticized by Trump. Musk, who is worth over $450 billion, joined the dinner unexpectedly, while Bezos, valued at about $240 billion, expressed optimism about Trump’s presidency. The dinner is part of a trend where tech leaders are seeking closer ties with the incoming administration.
Trump dines with Musk and Bezos: A shift in tech relations
Musk and Bezos, both titans in the space and tech industries, have previously had a contentious relationship—especially regarding government contracts. Their companies, SpaceX and Blue Origin, are set to compete for lucrative space projects in the coming years. Musk, who frequently advises Trump, has stated that their conversation was a “great discussion.” Bezos, who has also backed Trump recently, committed $1 million to the inauguration fund through Amazon, signaling a shift in his public stance towards the president-elect.
This dinner follows a history of tension between Trump and Bezos. During his first term, Trump often criticized Bezos, targeting Amazon and The Washington Post for perceived wrongs. Trump accused Amazon of not contributing enough in taxes and allegedly manipulating the U.S. Postal Service for its benefit. However, Bezos reported that he has seen a “calmer” side of Trump and noted the potential for partnering with the administration on regulatory reduction.
Bitcoin at $107,822: Trump’s crypto move could change global finance
Executives from Meta and Google have also been spotted visiting Trump in Florida, hinting at a desire for influence in shaping upcoming policies. According to Trump, “In this term, everybody wants to be my friend,” highlighting a shift from the previous hostility he faced from the tech sector.
The meeting was described as a “great conversation” by Elon Musk, suggesting a positive or at least amicable atmosphere. This dinner came after Trump’s election win, with Bezos and Musk, both tech moguls, seeking to engage with the incoming administration, possibly to influence or understand policy directions, especially concerning regulation, which both have vested interests in due to their companies’ operations.
Given the context, they might have discussed Trump’s plans for deregulation, which both Bezos and Musk have publicly supported. Bezos has expressed optimism about Trump’s deregulatory agenda, which could impact Amazon’s business operations. Musk, involved in various industries from electric vehicles to space travel, would also have an interest in how regulatory environments could affect his companies like Tesla and SpaceX. There’s also an underlying theme of mending past frictions, particularly between Trump and Bezos, due to previous criticisms from Trump about Amazon and The Washington Post. Bezos’s presence at such a dinner might signal an attempt to improve relations or at least ensure a smoother business environment under Trump’s administration.
Posts on X reflect varied sentiments, from seeing it as a strategic move by Bezos to criticism of billionaires aligning with political power, suggesting a complex interplay of business, politics, and personal relationships.
Musk’s invitation was not anticipated initially, indicating the fluid nature of such high-stakes gatherings. The interaction was characterized by a mix of business interests and personal agendas. Musk’s role in government spending discussions underlines the importance of tech leaders in shaping future economic policies, especially with Biden’s administration now firmly established in the public consciousness.
Featured image credit: Kerem Gülen/Ideogram
