Elon Musk Spotted Using Apple iPhone At Trump Inauguration Ceremony. Here's Why This Is A Shocker

Musk was seen using an iPhone 16 Pro — a surprising choice considering Musk's past criticism of Apple.

Musk had previously expressed strong opposition to Apple’s collaboration with OpenAI.

Source : X/@MorningBrew

Elon Musk was recently spotted using Apple AirPods Max headphones. And now, the SpaceX and Tesla CEO has been spotted yet another Apple device, this time at the inauguration ceremony of US President Donald Trump. Trump officially assumed office as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, January 20, delivering a stirring inaugural address that emphasised reclaiming sovereignty, restoring safety, and rebalancing justice. "From this moment on," Trump declared, "America’s decline is over."

The ceremony drew some of the most prominent figures from the tech industry, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and Tesla and Starlink CEO Elon Musk. These high-profile leaders were seen attending church services, seated close to the Trump family.

Which iPhone Is Elon Musk Seen Using?

A photograph captured during the event showed Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk using smartphones. Pichai was seen with what appeared to be Google's latest Pixel 9 series (which makes sense for the Google boss), while Musk held an iPhone 16 Pro — a surprising choice considering Musk's past criticism of Apple.

These kids and their damn phones pic.twitter.com/J62IwNJgSh

— Morning Brew ☕️ (@MorningBrew) January 20, 2025

Why Is This A Shocker?

The X owner's use of Apple devices does come as a surprise, especially since Musk had previously expressed strong opposition to Apple’s collaboration with OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, labelling it a potential security risk.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk stated he would consider banning Apple devices within his companies if the tech giant proceeded with plans to integrate OpenAI into its operating systems. "Visitors will have to check their Apple devices at the door," Musk warned, adding that such devices would be stored in a Faraday cage to prevent unauthorised data access.

Despite his vocal criticism of Apple, Musk has often been spotted using iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices interchangeably. Adding to the intrigue, a recent tweet by Musk showed an Apple AirPods Max headset, raising questions about his apparent reliance on Apple products. The headset, known for its premium spatial audio and comfort, retails for $399.99 in the US and Rs 59,900 in India.

I have a drinking problem pic.twitter.com/7agFvrSPSH

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 9, 2025

The sight of Musk using Apple products while publicly denouncing the company has sparked speculation about his stance. Critics argue that his actions seem at odds with his outspoken opinions, while supporters point out the practicality of using the best tools available.

The presence of tech leaders at Trump's inauguration underscored the intertwined relationship between politics and technology in shaping the future of the nation. While the ceremony focused on setting a new direction for America, the personal choices of industry leaders added an unexpected layer of intrigue to an already historic day.