Trump’s Inauguration Welcomes Billionaire Luminaries

Us Central Desk: In a surprising showcase of global business power, LVMH chief Bernard Arnault and Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani—ranked as the world’s fifth- and eighteenth-wealthiest individuals respectively—graced President Donald Trump’s inauguration events on Monday. The gathering brought together an elite group of moguls with a combined net worth exceeding $1.2 trillion.

Arnault, valued at $179.6 billion, attended the inauguration with his family, comprising the wealthiest household in France. Meanwhile, Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest man with a net worth of $98.1 billion, participated in both the pre-inauguration church service and a reception on Sunday night, accompanied by his wife, Nita Ambani, chairperson of Reliance Industries.

Billionaire Guests in Attendance

Among the distinguished attendees were Tesla CEO and staunch Trump supporter Elon Musk ($433.9 billion), Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg ($211 billion), and Amazon co-founder Jeff Bezos ($239.4 billion). OpenAI CEO Sam Altman ($1.1 billion), Apple CEO Tim Cook ($2.2 billion), and casino billionaire Miriam Adelson ($31.9 billion) were also present. Media magnate Rupert Murdoch ($22.2 billion) added to the diverse lineup of high-profile figures.

Arnault and Ambani were seated further from the president than some other attendees, yet their presence underscored the global appeal of the event.

Fundraising and Support

The inauguration, which set records by raising $170 million, benefited from contributions by several billionaires. Notably, Zuckerberg, Bezos, and Altman were significant donors. Donors contributing $1 million or raising $2 million earned exclusive access to pre-inauguration events, including a black-tie gala.

Elon Musk emerged as one of Trump’s most visible supporters, having donated millions to a pro-Trump super PAC and participating in town halls during the campaign. While Zuckerberg and Bezos have previously clashed with Trump, both have recently sought to strengthen ties. Zuckerberg described Trump as a “badass” following a 2024 assassination attempt, while Bezos commended the president’s “tremendous grace and courage under literal fire.”

The Big Picture

The gathering of such an influential cadre of business leaders at President Trump’s inauguration underscores the intersection of political and economic power in the global arena. Their combined net worth—an astonishing $1.2 trillion—symbolizes the enduring connection between leadership and commerce.

For context, President Trump himself holds an estimated net worth of $6.7 billion, primarily tied to his stake in Truth Social parent company Trump Media & Technology Group. This remarkable confluence of wealth and influence sets a new precedent for political and corporate synergy.

Corporatenews24,Mehrab