Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made a dramatic pivot, reshaping his company’s policies in response to years of criticism from conservatives and former President Donald Trump. The changes include halting fact-checking, loosening restrictions on hate speech, and elevating Trump allies into key leadership positions within the company.
Zuckerberg described the shift as “a return to the company’s roots around free expression,” framing it as a new era for Meta’s platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
A Strategic Realignment
Just two weeks before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, Zuckerberg appointed UFC boss and Trump ally Dana White to Meta’s board of directors. The move followed the promotion of Republican Joel Kaplan to lead Meta’s global affairs division, a position previously held by centrist Nick Clegg.
Kaplan, speaking on Fox News, emphasized the importance of this shift: “We’ve got a new administration and a new president coming in who are big defenders of free expression, and that makes a difference.”
At a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump praised Meta’s transformation, calling it a “MAGA makeover.” When asked if the company’s changes were influenced by his previous threats against Zuckerberg, Trump replied, “Probably.”
A Complicated History
The relationship between Zuckerberg and Trump has been anything but straightforward. In 2019, the two met in the Oval Office, with Trump later claiming Zuckerberg congratulated him for being “No. 1 on Facebook.”
However, tensions escalated after the January 6 Capitol riots, when Zuckerberg suspended Trump from Meta’s platforms. Trump responded by labeling Facebook an “enemy of the people” and accusing Zuckerberg of attempting to undermine him during the 2020 election.
In the wake of Trump’s 2024 electoral victory, Zuckerberg made efforts to mend fences. He congratulated Trump on Threads, dined with him at Mar-a-Lago, and presented him with Ray-Ban smart glasses. Meta also broke with its tradition by donating $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund.
Political and Regulatory Pressures
With Republicans reclaiming control of Congress, Zuckerberg’s strategy appears aimed at avoiding regulatory clashes. House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan is set to meet with Zuckerberg to discuss key issues, including content moderation and antitrust concerns.
Meta faces mounting scrutiny, with the Federal Trade Commission pursuing an antitrust case against the company. Additionally, Trump’s pick to lead the FTC, Andrew Ferguson, has pledged to target companies accused of promoting censorship.
Despite Meta’s efforts, not all conservatives are convinced. “Now that President Trump is about to take office, Meta has allegedly decided to stop censoring conservatives,” tweeted Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn. “This is a ploy to avoid being regulated. We will not be fooled.”
Balancing Act
Meta’s shift is seen as part of a broader effort to align with Trump’s administration on key issues such as immigration, artificial intelligence, and regulation. Zuckerberg’s focus on cultivating goodwill with Trump and his allies highlights the challenges tech giants face in navigating political landscapes while maintaining their operational independence.
As Zuckerberg repositions Meta in the political arena, questions remain about the long-term implications of these changes for the company’s reputation and regulatory standing.
