Amazon's Contribution to Trump's Inaugural Fund

Amazon has pledged a substantial donation of US$1 million to US President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural fund, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. This contribution is part of a broader commitment to air the event on its Prime Video service, which Amazon estimates as an additional in-kind donation of US$1 million.

The move positions Amazon alongside tech giant Meta Platforms, which is also donating US$1 million to the January 20 inauguration event. These contributions underline the tech industry's engagement with the incoming administration.

In a notable development, Amazon's founder and executive chairman, Jeff Bezos, is set to meet with Trump next week, as announced by the president-elect in an interview with CNBC. This meeting comes despite Trump's past criticism of the Washington Post's coverage of his first term, a publication owned by Bezos.

The Washington Post opted not to endorse a candidate in the November presidential election, a decision that precluded an endorsement of Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, according to National Public Radio. Bezos defended this stance in an opinion piece, emphasizing the need for media credibility amidst widespread perceptions of bias.

Trump's 2017 inauguration festivities notably raised a record US$106.7 million, reflecting the significant financial backing often associated with such high-profile political events.