Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg met with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Friday, marking their second in-person meeting since Trump's 2024 election victory. The meeting highlights Zuckerberg's ongoing efforts to rebuild ties with Trump ahead of his return to the White House.
The tech executive arrived at Trump's Florida compound dressed in a fitted suit and tie, parking his Gulfstream G650 jet next to Trump's Boeing 757 at Palm Beach International Airport. While details of their discussion were not disclosed, the meeting follows several recent policy changes at Meta that align with Trump's positions.
Just days before the encounter, Zuckerberg announced the end of Meta's fact-checking programs and diversity initiatives. The company has also loosened content moderation policies, with Zuckerberg acknowledging "too many mistakes and too much censorship" in the past.
The relationship between the two billionaires has evolved considerably since January 6, 2021, when Meta banned Trump from its platforms following the Capitol riot. In recent months, Zuckerberg has taken several steps to mend fences, including:
- Donating $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund
- Appointing UFC CEO Dana White, a Trump ally, to Meta's board
- Elevating Republican Joel Kaplan to lead global affairs
- Removing restrictions on Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts
During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump praised Meta's recent changes, saying "they've come a long way." When asked if Meta's shifts were in response to his previous threats against the company, Trump replied: "Probably."
The meeting underscores Meta's swift moves to align itself with the incoming administration, as tech companies navigate potential regulatory challenges under Trump's second term.