Meta Platforms has donated $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund, marking a shift in CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s approach to his relationship with the incoming president. The company confirmed the contribution, which departs from previous practices under Zuckerberg’s leadership.
Shift in Zuckerberg’s Approach to Trump
This donation follows a highly charged election campaign where Trump had threatened to punish Zuckerberg and other tech executives if they attempted to influence the election against him. The move also highlights the balancing act that tech CEOs face as their companies have often been targets of criticism from Trump and Republicans, while their workforces generally lean left politically.
Tech CEOs Adjust to Republican Leadership
Now, with Republicans set to control both the White House and Congress, calls for greater regulation of the tech industry have grown louder. In response, some tech leaders, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, are adjusting their stance. Bezos, once an outspoken critic of Trump, expressed optimism after the election, noting that Trump appeared “calmer” and “settled.”
Zuckerberg’s Ongoing Efforts to Build Relationships
Zuckerberg’s efforts to build ties with the incoming administration have been ongoing for years. In November, he dined with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach to focus on relationship-building. This dinner followed a series of meetings involving Meta’s senior policy executives, who also met with key members of Trump’s transition team, including future White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Senator Marco Rubio, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State.
Meta’s Donation and Zuckerberg’s Gesture
During the visit, Zuckerberg even gave Trump a pair of Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, showcasing the company’s innovation. Before the dinner, Zuckerberg’s team informed the inaugural fund about Meta’s planned donation.
Meta’s Political Contributions and Past Donations
Zuckerberg has a history of supporting congressional candidates from both parties but has largely avoided contributions to presidential campaigns. Public records show that neither Zuckerberg nor Meta contributed to Trump’s inaugural fund in 2017 or to President Biden’s fund in 2021. Both inaugural funds received $1 million in donations from fewer than a dozen major corporations.
