By merging with the U.S. arm of TikTok, Perplexity could emerge as a stronger search rival to Alphabet, a potential blow to Google stock.

Some industry observers told ABC News that the ostensible softening toward Trump by big-tech corporations reflects a new business landscape that is both heavily influenced by the president-elect and increasingly defined by the development of energy-intensive artificial intelligence products.

Among the tech CEOs in attendance at Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony inside the Capitol rotunda on Monday, Jan. 20, were Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and Tim Cook

“The golden age of America begins right now,” Trump proclaimed. For his billionaire backers, it has already begun.

Sánchez, who wore a white blazer and lace bralette alongside Bezos, was seen inside the Capitol Rotunda ahead of the official swearing-in ceremony.

President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony inside the Capitol Rotunda has a limited capacity of about 600 people, making the seats inside the nation’s Capitol the most sought-after seats in Washington.

High-profile tech billionaires, including Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk will sit front and center at President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.

The three richest men in the world, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg, along with Google CEO Sundar Pichai at Donald Trump’s inauguration pic.twitter.com/pZ0zAtPD1S — FearBuck (@FearedBuck) January 20, 2025