Google adds $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund as companies’ support grows

Tech giants are backing Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration with substantial donations, marking a shift in their relationship with the former president. Google has contributed $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund, joining other major technology companies in support, CNBC reported. The company will also stream the 2025 inauguration on YouTube and provide a direct homepage link, according to Karan Bhatia, Google’s global head of government affairs and public policy.

The tech industry’s financial support reflects efforts to rebuild ties with Trump, whose administration had a contentious relationship with Silicon Valley. Key tech leaders, including former Alphabet President Sergey Brin and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, met with Trump after his 2016 election victory, signaling a willingness to collaborate.

Google’s donation follows similar $1 million contributions from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Meta, announced late last year. Amazon and Apple’s Tim Cook have also pledged funds. These contributions come despite Trump’s often combative stance toward the tech industry, highlighted by recent antitrust lawsuits against Google over search and advertising practices. 

Microsoft has become the latest tech firm to donate $1 million, Forbes reported, bringing the inauguration fund to a record-breaking total of more than $170 million. 

The amount dwarfs previous records, surpassing President Joe Biden’s 2021 fund of $62 million and Trump’s 2016 total of $107 million.

Several other companies have joined the fundraising effort. Ford Motor Co. has contributed $1 million and is providing a fleet of vehicles for the event. AI search startup Perplexity has also committed $1 million and is offering free premium software to the new administration.