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Tech billionaires and world leaders turn out for Trump inauguration | US News

Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and former UK prime minister Boris Johnson are among the high-profile guests in Washington DC for Donald Trump’s inauguration.

The three men were sat in the same row inside St John’s Church as the incoming president attended a church service before his swearing in.

Other famous faces getting a prime seat for the big moment include Tesla boss Elon Musk, who appeared momentarily memorised by the ornate ceiling of the rotunda.

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Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk looks upward as he sits in his seat during inauguration ceremony before Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th US President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025.     SAUL LOEB/Pool via REUTERS
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Elon Musk appeared to be checking out the ornate ceiling of the rotunda. Pic: Reuters

Elon Musk met Jeff Bezos and his partner Lauren Sanchez (second left) at a dinner on Sunday night. Pic: AP
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Elon Musk met Jeff Bezos and his partner Lauren Sanchez (second left) at a dinner on Sunday night. Pic: AP

The Tesla boss was perhaps Mr Trump’s most famous backer during the election race and he’ll help lead an “efficiency” department in the new government.

Mr Musk was seen chatting to Google boss Sundar Pichai in the moments before the swearing-in, with Amazon boss Jeff Bozos and his partner Lauren Sanchez on the other side.

Priscilla Chan, CEO of Meta and Facebook Mark Zuckerberg, and Lauren Sanchez attend the inauguration ceremony.
Pic: Reuters
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Priscilla Chan, CEO of Meta and Facebook Mark Zuckerberg, and Lauren Sanchez. Pic: Reuters

Jeff Bezos, Alphabet’s CEO Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk attend Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Pic: reuters
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Jeff Bezos, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Pic: Reuters

The tech billionaires will be hoping the president’s policies will boost, or at least not hinder, their vast money-making machines.

Apple chief executive Tim Cook was pictured, while TikTok’s boss Zhang Yiming is also expected to be there.

Mr Trump pledged to give the app a reprieve from a ban that made it temporarily go “dark” in the US on Sunday.

Pic: Reuters
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Argentina President Javier Milei and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. Pic: Reuters

President of Argentina Javier Milei speaks with former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy as they arrive to the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. Chip Somodevilla/Pool via REUTERS
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Javier Milei speaks with former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. Pic: Reuters

Argentina’s far-right president, Javier Milei, was one of several world leaders in attendance.

Mr Milei, with his “rock and roll” hair cut and sideburns, was pictured laughing arm in arm with Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni.

Chinese President Xi Jinping was invited, said spokesperson Karoline Leavitt last month, but is not believed to be attending.

UFC boss Dana White was also suited and booted for the ceremony, and standing next to Barack Obama.

The mixed martial arts promoter often hosts Mr Trump at his events and is credited with helping boost his appeal among young men.

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Nigel Farage, the leader of the UK’s Reform Party and long-time supporter of Mr Trump, is believed to be in Washington but so far hasn’t been seen at the inauguration.

Posting a picture from a Trump victory rally at the weekend, Mr Farage said: “We are so back.”

Images on X also show him alongside party treasurer Nick Candy, the billionaire UK property developer, and former SAS Who Dares Wins star Ant Middleton – who’s now trying to enter politics.

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