Meta Boss Discusses ‘American Tech Leadership’ at the White House—The Complicated History Behind Zuckerberg-Trump Relationship

Key Takeaways

• Mark Zuckerberg and Donald Trump dined together at Mar-a-Lago.
• The meeting reflects an ongoing de-escalation of tensions between the two men.
• Trump has accused Meta platforms of bias against him after Zuckerberg removed him from Facebook and Instagram in 2021.

Since Donald Trump’s first presidential term, he and Mark Zuckerberg have shared a turbulent relationship, marked by public clashes over social media policies, accusations of political bias, and tensions around content moderation.

However, since Trump’s election in November, the two men have patched up their relationship and Zuckerberg has moved to grow his influence with the new administration

Mark Zuckerberg’s Campaign in Washington

According to Meta Communications Director Andy Stone , Zuckerberg met with White House officials on Thursday. Feb. 6, “to discuss how Meta can help the administration defend and advance American tech leadership abroad.”

The meeting marks the latest chapter in Zuckerberg’s Washington lobbying campaign, which has seen him donate to Trump’s inauguration fund, cozy up to members of the president’s inner circle, and even explore D.C. real estate.

The thawing of Zuckerberg and Trump’s relationship started in earnest in November when the two men dined together at the latter’s Florida resort.

In comments made after the meeting, Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller suggested that Zuckerberg had come to discuss business matters.

“He has his own interest, and he has his own company and he has his own agenda,” Miller said in an interview on Fox News. “But he’s made clear that he wants to support the national renewal of America under Trump’s leadership.”

A Rocky Relationship

For Trump and Zuckerberg, increased communication between the two camps suggests the two men have built bridges after years of public disagreements.

As far back as 2017, Trump accused Facebook of being biased against him, setting the tone for his treatment of Meta’s platforms throughout his first term.

The conflict became personal when Meta banned Trump from its platforms following the Jan. 6 riots in 2021.

At the time, Zuckerberg said the risks of Mr. Trump using the service were too great. “Therefore, we are extending the block we have placed on his Facebook and Instagram accounts indefinitely and for at least the next two weeks until the peaceful transition of power is complete.”

Although Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts were reinstated in 2023, he continued to bear a grudge, referring to the former as “an enemy of the people” in March 2024.

A few months later, in August, Trump warned that if Mark Zuckerberg engaged in any illegal activities during the election, he could “spend the rest of his life in prison.”

October 2024: In an interview on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast, Trump remarked, “I actually believe he’s [Zuckerberg] staying out of the election, which is nice.”

Since then, however, his comments have become less barbed.

Reconciliation

While the Mar-a-Lago dinner drew headlines, it wasn’t the first time Trump and Zuckerberg communicated recently.

Following an assassination attempt targeting Trump in July, the two reportedly spoke on the phone. During this call, Zuckerberg expressed his concern for Trump’s safety and wished him well.

Zuckerberg’s gesture of civility appears to have worked. In October, Trump said he liked the Meta CEO “much better now,” adding that, “I actually believe he’s staying out of the election, which is nice.”

Meta’s MAGA Turn

After Trump expressed frustration with Meta’s handling of content moderation policies, which Republicans across the board have attacked for alleged anti-conservative bias, Meta recently adjusted course on the issue.

Meanwhile, Zuckerberg has changed his rhetoric on government censorship, claiming in August that he regretted buckling to pressure from the White House to remove posts about COVID-19 vaccines.

Alongside increased communication with the white House, Meta’s shift on content moderation could be viewed as an attempt to win favor with the new administration.

And while Zuckerberg is unlikely to ever attain the kind of influence his long-time rival Elon Musk has, ingratiating himself to Trump surely can’t hurt.