Many companies that once pledged not to support candidates who questioned the 2020 election results reportedly are helping to fund President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.
At least 11 companies and trade associations that previously promised to suspend or reconsider political-action committee donations after Jan. 6, 2021, are supporting Trump's inauguration, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.
"People just really want to move forward and move on," a representative at one of the contributing companies told the Journal. "The election results were very clear."
Trump will be sworn into office on Jan. 20 and the inauguration is headed to be the most lucrative ever.
Ford, Intuit, Toyota, and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America each contributed $1 million toward the event. Goldman Sachs, General Motors, Bank of America, AT&T, and Stanley Black & Decker are other companies donating after making Jan. 6-related pledges.
Big Tech companies Amazon and Facebook parent Meta also have donated to the inauguration.
Officials connected with next month's event have told fundraisers they expect to bring in more than the $107 million raised for Trump's first inauguration in 2017, when 18 companies each gave $1 million or more. The number of million-dollar corporate donors, 13 so far, is expected to be higher this time around, the Journal reported.
President Joe Biden's inauguration raised $61 million.
Corporate executives appear eager to make inroads with Trump, whose agenda will greatly affect the business world.
For example, Trump's proposed tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada would affect many automakers in North America. The incoming president also aims to unravel many of Democrat Biden's policies on electric vehicle and emissions.
Consultants have suggested that it's in companies' best interests to support the inauguration and, if possible, meet with Trump.
"The old saying is, if you're not at the table, you're on the menu," longtime GOP strategist Kevin Madden told the Journal. "There's going to be a lot of work being done in 2025 and 2026, and the process starts now."
The outlet reported that the President-elect has met with the CEOs of Meta Platforms, Amazon, Google, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, and others in recent weeks.
"EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND!!!" Trump posted last week on Truth Social.
Reuters contributed to this story.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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