Maddow rips tech executives sitting with Trump nominees at inauguration: ‘How is this happening?’

Maddow rips tech executives sitting with Trump nominees at inauguration: ‘How is this happening?’

MSNBC pundit Rachel Maddow expressed bewilderment that leading business and tech industry leaders were seated near President Trump at his inauguration on Monday.

“Kristi Noem, the nominee for homeland security, next to Apple CEO Tim Cook. How is this happening in America,” Maddow said. “How is this happening? Why are people with tons of money up on the dais with Cabinet nominees and family members?”

“It is a message,” interjected fellow host Alex Wagner.

“It is a pivotal moment here,” Maddow concurred. “Jeff Bezos, the billionaire owner of The Washington Post and Amazon and that space company, standing in front of RFK Jr., the wildly controversial nominee to be Health and Human Services secretary, one who, interestingly, has not yet had his confirmation hearing scheduled.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Maddow’s comment was first highlighted by Mediate.

Leading tech leaders like Bezos, Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai were present for the inauguration on Monday, with their attendance coming as many top Silicon Valley executives have met with Trump ahead of his second term.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.