Meta Strengthens Ties with Trump Administration
Meta donates $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund, as announced on Wednesday. This move comes shortly after Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, visited Mar-a-Lago to meet with Mr. Trump last month. During the meeting, Zuckerberg congratulated Trump on his electoral victory, and the two exchanged pleasantries.
A Meta spokesperson confirmed that Zuckerberg attended dinner with Mr. Trump and described the CEO as “grateful for the invitation.” Reports also indicate that Zuckerberg met with Marco Rubio, Trump’s choice for Secretary of State, during his visit. The donation, which was first reported by The Wall Street Journal, aligns with a common trend where businesses contribute significantly to inaugural funds to build goodwill with incoming administrations. Notably, Trump’s committee has been offering special benefits to top-tier donors contributing $1 million or more.
Efforts to Mend a Strained Relationship
Meta’s relationship with Trump has been contentious in the past. The former president has repeatedly accused Meta of silencing conservative voices across its platforms, particularly after the January 6 Capitol attack when Trump was blocked from Facebook and Instagram. Though Trump’s accounts were reinstated earlier, he has criticized Zuckerberg personally, even suggesting the tech executive should be jailed for allegedly undermining him during the 2020 election.
In recent months, however, Meta donates to rebuild this fractured relationship. Over the summer, he had at least two private phone calls with Trump. Notably, after an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania, Zuckerberg reached out to Trump, expressing support and stating he was “praying” for him. In interviews, Zuckerberg even praised Trump’s resilience, calling him a “badass” for his reaction to the incident.
Tech Leaders Navigate Trump’s Influence
Zuckerberg’s outreach to Trump mirrors actions taken by other Silicon Valley leaders aiming to maintain favorable ties with the incoming administration. Executives like Apple’s Tim Cook and Google’s Sundar Pichai have also engaged with Trump, seeking to balance relationships that may influence their business interests.
Zuckerberg’s political approach has evolved in recent years. In a letter to Congress in August, he expressed regret over his previous political actions, stating he felt pressured by the Biden administration to censor Covid-19 content on Meta platforms. He also clarified he would not repeat donations made in 2020 to support electoral efforts, as those contributions had cast doubt on Meta’s neutrality.
By contributing $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, Meta donates to secure better footing with the Trump administration while navigating the delicate balance of political influence and neutrality. The donation signals a potential shift in the relationship between Meta and Trump, as both parties look toward the future.
