In a recent interview, ex-Trump chief strategist Steve Bannon declared that tech moguls such as Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos are signaling their "official surrender" to President-elect Donald Trump as they plan to attend his inauguration on Monday. Bannon expressed his views during an interview on ABC's "This Week," emphasizing that the presence of these billionaires at the inauguration marks a significant shift in their relationship with Trump.

Bannon stated, "As soon as Zuckerberg said, 'I've been invited. I'm going,' the floodgates opened up, and they were all there knocking, trying to be supplicants." He positioned this event as a culmination of Trump's power over wealthy tech executives, claiming, "President Trump broke the oligarchs; he broke them, and they surrendered."

He also highlighted a comment from President Joe Biden's farewell address, which warned of an emerging oligarchy in America, noting, "They only became oligarchs when they flipped on him, when they surrendered." Bannon compared the tech leaders' attendance at the inauguration to Japan's formal surrender on the USS Missouri at the end of World War II, describing Trump as resembling General Douglas MacArthur in this context.

Despite the apparent unification, Bannon remains skeptical of the tech leaders’ newly embraced allegiance. He criticized Zuckerberg's perceived shift, saying, "Zuckerberg's road to Damascus came a little late... That guy will flip on President Trump, and he'll flip on us in a second when it’s convenient for him."

This sentiment mirrors Bannon's earlier remarks, where he labeled Musk as "truly evil" following Musk's support for H-1B visa programs, which many conservatives oppose. Bannon declared, "I will have Elon Musk run out of here by Inauguration Day," showcasing his dissatisfaction with the tech moguls' policy positions.

Amidst these tensions, both Meta and Amazon have donated $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund, reflecting their attempts to repair relations. Bannon’s comments reveal the intricate dynamics of power, loyalty, and influence within the current political landscape as these corporations navigate their identities under Trump's leadership.

To explore more on Bannon's views regarding tech moguls and their relationship with Trump, check the full coverage on Business Insider.