During Trump's inauguration, prominent Silicon Valley CEOs such as Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai, and Jeff Bezos occupied prime seating positions, traditionally reserved for family and former presidents. This shift, prompted by cold weather forcing an indoor ceremony, showcased the tech elite's influence at a significant political event. Critics, including Senator Bernie Sanders, pointed to this proximity as indicative of the increasing power held by billionaires over government, with Musk, Zuckerberg, and Bezos collectively nearing a trillion in wealth, contrasting sharply with stagnant federal minimum wage.
The prominence of some of the world's richest people at the inauguration marked a break from tradition, as the best seats are typically reserved for family and former presidents.
The optics of Silicon Valley's proximity to the president were not lost on Trump's critics, who have warned about the growing threat of a tech oligarchy.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders emphasized that when three wealthiest men in America sit behind Trump, it highlights the billionaire class's control over the government.
Critics noted the combined wealth of Musk, Zuckerberg, and Bezos has grown to nearly $1 trillion over the past decade, while the federal minimum wage has remained unchanged.
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