On Monday, at the second inauguration of President Donald Trump, the three richest individuals in the United States—Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg—gathered in a VIP area.

This moment was significant, showcasing a literal gathering of immense wealth, as these billionaires together have a net worth exceeding $1 trillion. Photos of them became a sensation worldwide, drawing parallels to the striking imagery of five current and former presidents at Jimmy Carter’s recent funeral.

While the presence of the five presidents was generally viewed as impactful and poignant, some critics reacted quite differently to the image of the three billionaire technologists at Trump’s ceremony.

Lindsay Owens, the executive director of the Groundwork Collaborative, a progressive think tank, noted, “Seeing the richest men in America sitting next to our new president felt undemocratic and, frankly, unsettling.”

Owens and others argued that this gathering suggested that these billionaires might have more sway over the second Trump administration than regular citizens.

Daniel Weiner, who directs the Elections and Government Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, a center-left think tank, commented, “Regardless of one’s feelings towards billionaires, their close proximity to the pinnacle of political power is concerning.”

‘An oligarchy is emerging.’

In a farewell address last week, President Joe Biden cautioned, “There is an emerging oligarchy in America, characterized by extreme wealth and influence that poses a threat to our democracy, our fundamental rights, and opportunities for everyone to succeed.”

This seemed to directly reference Trump and his affluent associates, particularly Musk, who donated over $250 million to Trump’s campaign. Musk has since taken on a new role overseeing efficiency in government, and is reportedly given White House communications.

The image of Musk, Bezos, and Zuckerberg together brought discussions, especially from left-leaning commentators, about what they term a nascent “brologarchy.”

Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, remarked in a video posted on X that the trio’s wealth surged by more than $233 billion since the elections in November, suggesting, “It’s no surprise they sat right behind Trump at his inauguration.”

Both Bezos and Zuckerberg have made moves that could be viewed as attempts to gain favor with the new administration, such as Bezos reportedly retracting a planned endorsement of Kamala Harris in The Washington Post, which he owns, and Zuckerberg discontinuing Meta’s fact-checking initiative opposed by Trump. Their companies, Amazon and Meta, also contributed $1 million each to Trump’s inaugural fund. Just last week, both companies joined others in cutting back on corporate diversity initiatives, reflecting Trump’s recent executive orders.

‘If James Madison were here, he’d be upset.’

Some political scientists now theorize that the un-elected billionaires may be positioned to shape policies in the second Trump administration.

Marc Hetherington, a political scientist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, stated, “Democracy should prioritize serving the people, not just a privileged elite.” Regarding the Billionaires’ Row photo from the inauguration, he added, “If James Madison were to see it, I am sure he would be very upset.”

When asked to provide an example of potential negative impacts from billionaire influence over Trump’s policies, Hetherington pointed out that Trump announced a focus on space exploration during his term, proposing to send American astronauts to Mars. Musk, as CEO of SpaceX, joyfully reacted during this announcement, raising concerns about priorities that may not reflect the general public’s interests.

Given estimates suggest a Mars mission may cost around $500 billion, Hetherington noted, “Musk’s ambitions are significant, but they don’t resonate with the desires of the majority.”

Also, Musk has ties to multiple companies that receive federal oversight or contracts. In his new role in government, he could advocate for budgetary and regulatory policies benefiting his businesses.

Celine McNicholas, director of policy at the Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning think tank, expressed concern that Musk and other insider billionaires may influence Trump’s policies in ways that serve their interests rather than the country’s needs.

Owens from the Groundwork Collaborative pointed out that Musk’s companies are under investigation by several federal agencies for various issues, ranging from car malfunctions to security concerns. Therefore, Musk being an insider could result in attempts to mitigate those investigations.

“It’s in the public interest,” she stated, “for Musk’s companies to adhere to regulations like everyone else.”

Critics of the so-called “Brologarchy” claim they would have the same reaction had similar figures attended a Democratic inauguration.

McNicholas commented, “Nancy Pelosi often interacts with wealthy individuals but doesn’t offer them positions in her office.”

However, the mere presence of these three wealthy individuals at Trump’s inauguration doesn’t necessarily mean they seek roles in his administration.

Economist Ryan Bourne from the libertarian Cato Institute noted that Musk, Bezos, Zuckerberg, and other tech executives appear eager to associate themselves with the Trump administration.

Bourne explained that many tech leaders shifted their allegiance from the Democrats due to perceived excessive scrutiny and enforcement of antitrust laws under Biden.

Thus, by attending the inauguration, these billionaires might be attempting to signal a fresh start. Yet their coalition at such a significant event could convey an unsettling message.

“I don’t want a reality where business leaders feel the need to seek approval from the president to shape favorable policies,” Bourne stated.

This story has been updated to include new information.