After Amazon, Meta, Sam Altman-led OpenAI to donate $1mn to Trump's inaugural fund

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman plans to make a $1 million personal donation to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, after other tech leaders pledged a similar amount.

A spokesperson for OpenAI confirmed the donation Friday (Deember 13). The announcement follows similar contributions, including $1 million from Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and a planned $1 million donation from Amazon.

A spokesperson for Amazon confirmed Thursday evening that the e-commerce giant will also stream Trump’s inauguration on its Prime Video service. The streaming arrangement is considered an in-kind donation valued at an additional $1 million.

“President Trump will lead our country into the age of AI, and I am eager to support his efforts to ensure America stays ahead," Altman said in a statement.

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Altman, who is embroiled in a legal dispute with rival Elon Musk, said he is “not that worried” about Musk’s growing influence within Trump’s administration.

Tech leaders seek to strengthen ties

Trump recently tapped Musk, the world’s richest person, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to head the new Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. The advisory committee aims to work with government officials to reduce spending and regulations.

The donations from Altman, Amazon and Meta show a broader push by tech companies to navigate a changing political landscape. The contributions come amid growing scrutiny of Silicon Valley’s influence and its role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence and innovation.

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Legal dispute between Altman and Musk

Musk, a former OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year, accusing it of abandoning its mission of prioritising public benefit over profits. Musk has since escalated the lawsuit, asking a federal judge to block OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit model.

Altman has publicly downplayed Musk’s influence, but the legal battle is a clear marker of a rift between two of the tech world’s most prominent figures.

With tech companies like OpenAI, Meta, and Amazon making significant contributions, the intersection of technology and politics continues to evolve in the lead-up to Trump’s inauguration.

With inputs from agencies