Some of the most exclusive seats at President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday were reserved for powerful tech CEOs, many of whom are among the world’s richest individuals.
This marked a shift from tradition, particularly for a president who has long characterised himself as a champion of the working class. Typically, such coveted spots are reserved for the president’s family, former presidents, and other honoured guests.
Photos from the event depict these influential business figures mingling with several of Trump’s Cabinet picks, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health Secretary and Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. Their attendance has sparked discussions on the message Trump sought to convey and the motivations of these corporate leaders in aligning themselves with his administration.
Brendan Zerafa, Policy Consultant at the Parliamentary Secretariat for Social Dialogue, Office of the Prime Minister, believes Trump’s decision to surround himself with such high-profile figures was a deliberate demonstration of his evolving status within the political establishment.
“I think that Trump wanted to show that now he is the establishment. This contrasts with eight years ago when a significant number of powerful individuals sidelined him, and even though he was elected, he was arguably still the new man in town. Eight years later, he’s not ‘new’ anymore. He’s part of the mainstream. It’s clear that these same individuals are now embracing him – and this is something that he wanted to show,” he told MaltaCEOS.mt.
Darren Carabott, Member of Parliament and President of the Public Accounts Committee in the Parliament of Malta, took a broader view, arguing that any newly elected president – Trump included –would naturally want to engage with the country’s top economic players.
“This approach demonstrates to the electorate a willingness to collaborate across political divides and prioritise the country’s economic prosperity over partisan interests,” he said.
The presence of these influential tech leaders at Trump’s inauguration has been widely interpreted as a strategic move. While some see it as a show of respect for the office of the presidency, others view it as an effort to align with Trump’s administration or safeguard their business interests.
“Attending such an event is a sign of respect towards the Presidency,” said Dr Zerafa. “Whenever someone is invited to such an event, they should attend – whether they like the incoming President or not.” However, he also acknowledged that certain business leaders were likely seeking to align themselves with Trump’s political movement: “Some billionaires and executives are attempting to align themselves with Donald Trump and his political movement by reshaping the leadership within their organisations and updating certain policies. These changes may reflect efforts to curry favour or even signal that they’re moving towards Trump ideologically.”
Dr Carabott echoed similar sentiments but distinguished between different groups of attendees. “I believe there were two groups of economic leaders present: Those who have supported him consistently, reflecting their influence in today’s Government, and others who may not have been supportive of him but still attended this national event. It would have been unwise for them not to. Even Trump’s political rivals were present. Ultimately, that is the essence of democracy – respecting the people’s decision, regardless of personal or political differences.”
Given that some of these individuals had previously opposed Trump, their attendance has raised questions about whether it was a strategic move for self-preservation. Both Dr Zerafa and Dr Carabott acknowledged that, for some, it may have been a calculated decision to maintain access to political influence.
“In certain circumstances, yes,” said Dr Zerafa, “however, with regard to other individuals, their attendance was just a sign of respect. Basically, you can’t analyse all of these individuals as a whole, but you have to analyse them on a case-by-case basis.”
Dr Carabott took a nuanced approach, stating that criticism of Trump in the past does not necessarily mean these leaders have now aligned with his administration.
“One does not exclude the other. They have the right to criticise his policies, and they chose to take a stance with all its consequences – just as those who supported Trump did before the election. Attending the Presidential inauguration is a national event, and their presence should in no way be seen as a betrayal of their principles,” he added.
He further pointed out that prominent Democrats such as Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, and Kamala Harris were also in attendance: “Their presence should be understood as an acceptance of the people’s decision, while also signalling a willingness to move forward and contribute to the progress of their nation.”
Dr Zerafa also highlighted growing concerns within Republican circles about the influence of Elon Musk. “Musk had a disproportionate effect on Donald Trump’s campaign for the Presidency, and his endorsement certainly had an effect on the result of the election. Now, certain people within the MAGA movement are becoming concerned about how much power he has,” he said.
Beyond Musk, the broader presence of billionaires in Government affairs has intensified fears of a plutocracy.
“The concentration of billionaires involved in Government affairs has raised concerns over what some perceive to be plutocracy. In today’s world, plutocracy can be transnational, meaning that it can have an effect on multiple countries at large. As a result, it is clear that in left-wing circles, there is a fear that the Western world will swindle towards transnational plutofascism – which concerns three main elements: (1) the plutocratic nature of power, (2) policies of the extreme right, and (3) the transnational element,” he concluded.
Featured Image:
Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai, and Elon Musk, at Trump’s Inauguration / X
Recognising your team’s achievements is crucial for fostering a motivated and engaged workforce.
He advocates for the continuous enhancement of Malta’s tourism offerings.
The research was carried out by the non-profit, non-partisan organisation
For many businesses, January is synonymous with a post-holiday slump.