Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms, is positioning himself to influence tech policy in Donald Trump’s incoming administration, despite the two’s contentious history.
Last week, Zuckerberg attended a private dinner with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where he showcased Meta’s camera-equipped smart glasses, according to Fox News.
“Mark Zuckerberg has expressed his commitment to being part of the technological transformation unfolding across America,” said Stephen Miller, a senior Trump advisor.
Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, echoed the sentiment, stating that Zuckerberg aims to play an “active role” in shaping tech policy, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, to help maintain the U.S.’s global tech leadership.
This meeting marks a shift in their relationship. Meta had previously banned Trump from Facebook and Instagram after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. But recent moves suggest a thaw: Meta lifted Trump’s ban ahead of the election, and Zuckerberg publicly praised the president-elect’s resilience after surviving a shooting incident.
Additionally, Meta has reconsidered its approach to content moderation. Clegg admitted the company “overdid it” during the COVID-19 pandemic, often removing content under pressure from the Biden administration. “We recognize that our error rates in enforcing policies have been too high, sometimes unfairly penalizing users,” Clegg said.
As the tech landscape evolves, Zuckerberg appears ready to collaborate closely with Trump’s administration, potentially reshaping the regulatory environment that governs Big Tech.