Tech billionaires including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos were given prime positions at Donald Trump's inauguration Monday, in an unprecedented demonstration of their power and influence on US politics.

In many cases, the tech honchos sat in front of Trump’s cabinet nominees and Republican lawmakers, possibly signaling a partnership that could define his second administration.

President Trump declared in his second inaugural address that a “golden age” of America had begun, drawing cheers with pledges to declare a national emergency at the southern border and boost oil drilling.