Zuckerberg to host Trump inauguration party

Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s chief executive who has tried to keep his distance from politics, is supportive of President-elect Donald J. Trump.

Mr. Zuckerberg is among several Big Tech executives expected to be front and center at Mr. Trump’s inauguration next week. He will be one of four hosts at a black-tie reception on Jan. 20, joining longtime Republican donors Miriam Adelson and Todd Ricketts to host a party “celebrating the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump and Vice President President JD Vance,” according to a copy of the invitation seen by the New York Times. The event was first reported by Puck.

Business leaders often argue that supporting an inauguration is a patriotic act that does not constitute political support for the president. Meta, Facebook’s parent company, declined to comment.

Mr. Zuckerberg rarely associates his name with political events. He did not play a similar role during President Biden’s inauguration in 2020 or during Mr. Trump’s first inauguration, in 2016.

But he has undergone something of a political reinvention over the past year. He visited Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort last week. And announced a series of changes at Meta since the November election that delighted Mr. Trump’s advisers.

Mr. Zuckerberg is one of several technology company executives positioning themselves for a Republican administration that will have considerable influence on their industry.

Tim Cook, Apple’s chief executive, is expected to be seated on the dais at the inauguration alongside other major technology executives, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. NBC News reported Tuesday that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos would be given a similarly prestigious position. Representatives for Bezos did not respond to requests for comment.

And Elon Musk, Mr. Trump’s top supporter in the tech industry, is expected to be all over Washington as he prepares to play a major role in the administration.

The inauguration festivities were such a success in corporate America that some companies and executives made donations to support Mr. Trump’s inaugural committee, even without a guarantee of getting seats.

Tripp Mickle And Karen Weise reports contributed.