Spotify Hosts Trump Inauguration Brunch with Rogan & Shapiro, Makes $150K Donation

Spotify Hosts Trump Inauguration Brunch with Rogan & Shapiro, Makes $150K Donation

By Marcus Bennett

January 23, 2025 at 06:53 AM

Spotify hosted a notable pre-inaugural brunch featuring prominent podcasters Joe Rogan and Ben Shapiro, alongside country artist Riley Green, highlighting the growing influence of digital content creators in political discourse. The streaming giant also contributed $150,000 to Trump's inauguration ceremony and celebrations.

Several major tech companies made larger contributions to the inaugural committee, including:

  • Apple
  • Amazon
  • Meta
  • Google
  • Microsoft
  • OpenAI
  • Uber Each donated $1 million.

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Cannot verify or describe nonexistent image

Spotify defended its donation, stating it aligns with their global policy engagement strategy, regardless of political leadership. The company emphasized its commitment to expanding its presence in Washington D.C. and supporting platform creators.

The night before the inauguration, TikTok sponsored the "Power 30" event at the Sax club near the White House, celebrating right-wing influencers' role in Trump's victory. CJ Pearson, Co-Chair of the RNC's Youth Advisory Council and event host, declared it a victory in the "culture wars."

Trump's successful campaign strategy notably included appearances on major podcasts like The Joe Rogan Experience and Theo Von's show, reaching millions of listeners. While Vice President Harris declined these podcast invitations, the grassroots digital approach proved effective in securing Trump's second term.

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan acknowledged the crucial role of content creators, noting their influence in shaping cultural narratives and experimenting with new media approaches during the campaign.

Man holding vinyl records in store

Man holding vinyl records in store

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