In a significant shift, major tech companies such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta have collectively pledged $1 million each to Donald Trump's inauguration fund, contributing to a record total of over $170 million. This marks a stark departure from the tech industry's stance post-2020 election, showcasing a willingness to engage with Trump as he prepares for his second term. Despite previous tensions, these donations, which also include personal contributions from executives like OpenAI's Sam Altman, indicate an effort to curry favor with the incoming administration ahead of policy discussions, particularly in artificial intelligence and big tech oversight.