T
he influx of billionaires into the Trump administration has sparked a luxury real estate boom in Washington, as tech moguls and business leaders rush to establish their presence in the nation's capital. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly eyeing property purchases in Washington, signaling his efforts to shape technology policies, amid the company's $65 billion AI spending commitment.

    The trend extends beyond Silicon Valley, with at least a dozen billionaires tapped for senior administration roles, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency. Real estate agents are overwhelmed by demand for luxury properties, citing the "wealth factor" that has descended upon Washington since the election.

    Recent high-profile purchases include a $25 million French Chateau-style home bought by Commerce Secretary-nominee Howard Lutnick, setting a local record. Trump's crypto and AI czar David Sacks also snapped up a $10 million residence in the capital. Tech journalist Kara Swisher notes that these individuals are "really spendy," with private planes and assistants at their disposal.

    The scramble for property reflects a broader shift in Washington's power dynamics, as wealthy donors seek to influence policy. Billionaire David Rubenstein explains: "Big donors want policies they believe in from the federal government – more oil drilling, easier antitrust policy, favorable crypto policy, less bank oversight."