Bezos Donates $1 Million and Dines with Trump at Mar-a-Lago: ‘I’m Actually Very Optimistic This Time Around’
Trump during a fund-raiser at Mar-a-Lago, his resort in Palm Beach, Fla., last year. (Credit: Doug Mills/The New York Times)
Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, were spotted entering Mar-a-Lago on Wednesday, December 18, for a private dinner with President-elect Donald Trump. The meeting, reportedly the first time Bezos has dined with Trump since his reelection, suggests a potential shift in their historically rocky relationship, according to The New York Post.
The meeting follows Bezos’ pledge to donate $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund, marking a notable change in his stance. The change in the relationship began when Bezos, who purchased The Washington Post in 2013, asked the paper not to endorse any candidate in the 2024 election, breaking with its tradition of supporting Democratic candidates.
Speaking at The New York Times’ DealBook Summit earlier this month, Bezos shared his views on Trump’s potential return to office. “I’m actually very optimistic this time around,” he said, adding, “He seems to have a lot of energy around reducing regulation. If I can help do that, I’m going to help him.” Bezos emphasized that the U.S. has “too many regulations” and expressed a desire to collaborate in reducing them.
Trump, for his part, has been enthusiastic about reconnecting with business leaders ahead of his second term. Following a visit to the New York Stock Exchange, he said, “I want to get ideas from them. Look, we want them to do well.”
In addition to his dinner with Trump, Bezos informed Trump’s team of his $1 million contribution to the inaugural fund, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. The growing proximity between Bezos and Trump has led many to speculate on the motives of tech moguls, especially considering Bezos’ previous conflicts with the president-elect.
One observer remarked, “Interesting how quickly alliances shift when power dynamics change. Do you think these tech leaders are genuinely supportive or just playing politics to stay in favor?” Another quipped, “Bezos, Zuckerberg, and Tim Cook all cozying up to Trump tells you everything you need to know—money follows power, not ‘woke’ nonsense.”
The shift in relationships between Silicon Valley’s tech giants and Trump is part of a broader trend. Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta Platforms also announced a $1 million donation to the inauguration fund, while OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew have made similar gestures. Meanwhile, Elon Musk continues to support Trump, with plans to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency.
