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January 15, 2025

Billionaires Zuckerberg, Bezos and Musk to Share Platform at Trump's Inauguration
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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg outlined plans Tuesday to lay off 5% of the
social media company's global workforce - or about 3,600 people. The
mass layoffs come just days after Zuckerberg announced Meta would end
fact-checking across its Facebook, Whats App and Instagram platforms.
This comes as Zuckerberg is planning to co-host a black-tie reception
Monday with Republican megadonor Miriam Adelson to celebrate Trump's
inauguration; Meta also gave $1 million to the Trump inaugural fund.

Zuckerberg will have a prominent position at Trump's inauguration,
seated near fellow multibillionaires Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, among
Trump's Cabinet nominees and elected officials. Former first lady
Michelle Obama said she would not be attending Monday's inauguration.
The Office of Barack and Michelle Obama refused to comment on her
absence. A statement from the Obamas reads in part, "This is obviously
not the outcome we had hoped for, given our profound disagreements with
the Republican ticket on a whole host of issues. But living in a
democracy is about recognizing that our point of view won't always win
out, and being willing to accept the peaceful transfer of power."


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