This Wednesday, Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Meta, met with the elected president of the United States, Donald Trump, at Mar-a-Lago, his residence in Florida.
The meeting, which included a private dinner, has sparked speculation regarding the motives and potential implications of this rapprochement, considering the historical relationship between both figures, characterized by tensions and accusations.
An unexpected rapprochement after years of tensions.
The relationship between Zuckerberg and Trump has historically been complicated.
The former president accused Meta, owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, of censoring conservative voices, particularly during the 2020 presidential elections. Trump's expulsion from Meta's platforms following the January 6, 2021, riots heightened these tensions.
Trump referred to Facebook as "the enemy of the people" and suggested on several occasions that he might take legal action against Zuckerberg, including threats of imprisonment.
Meta justified the indefinite suspension of Trump in 2021 by citing violations of the platform's policies regarding incitement to violence.
However, in 2023, their accounts were reinstated, marking the beginning of a period of relative reconciliation.
The quote about "Zuckerbucks"
Trump has not hidden his distrust of Zuckerberg, especially in the context of the 2020 elections.
In a message posted in July on his social network Truth Social, Trump warned: "All I can say is that if I am elected president, we will pursue election fraudsters like never before, and they will be sent to prison for long periods of time. We already know who they are. DON'T DO IT! ZUCKERBUCKS, beware!"
This statement reflects how Zuckerberg's figure has been a recurring symbol in Trump's criticisms of the management of the previous elections.
Why now? A strategically significant political moment.
The meeting at Mar-a-Lago comes at a critical time: just a few months before Trump potentially assumes the presidency again, Zuckerberg appears to be seeking a more positive relationship with the incoming administration, according to U.S. media.
A spokesperson for Meta stated that the CEO attended the invitation to "discuss the upcoming administration and the future of innovation in the United States." Stephen Miller, a policy advisor to Trump, added that Zuckerberg expressed interest in supporting the elected president's economic plans.
"Mark obviously has his own interests, and he has his own company and his own agenda," Miller explained in an interview. "But he has made it clear that he wants to support the national renewal of the United States under Trump's leadership."
Elon Musk, the great rival
In this context, the figure of Elon Musk stands out as the owner of X and a strong ally of Trump.
Unlike Zuckerberg, Musk has maintained a close and positive relationship with the elected president, having contributed over 200 million dollars to his campaign and supporting his message on platform X.
Additionally, Musk has been appointed by Trump to lead the "Department of Government Efficiency," an external advisory committee for the new administration.
The rivalry between Zuckerberg and Musk is well-known.
During 2023, both even challenged each other to a physical fight, which never took place, underscoring the tense competition between their companies.
While Musk appears to be a key figure in the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement, Zuckerberg is in the process of rebuilding his relationship with the elected president.
Implications of the meeting: A change of direction for Meta?
Zuckerberg's approach could also be seen as an attempt by Meta to shield itself from potential regulations.
Trump has appointed Brendan Carr, a critic of big tech companies, as the future director of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Carr has been vocal about the need to regulate giants like Meta, Apple, and Google, arguing that these companies pose a threat to "individual freedom" by censoring conservative viewpoints.
Meta had already been the target of criticism for its role in the 2020 elections, when organizations funded by Zuckerberg donated over 400 million dollars to support the electoral infrastructure during the pandemic, something that Trump and other Republicans viewed as interference against them.
A reconciliation in progress.
Despite the tensions of the past, the meeting at Mar-a-Lago and recent interactions appear to reflect a shift in the dynamic between Zuckerberg and Trump.
During the summer, they both had at least two private calls.
In one of them, Zuckerberg expressed his best wishes and "prayed" for Trump after an assassination attempt in July. In a subsequent interview, Zuckerberg praised Trump's resilience, labeling his response to the attack as "impressive."
For his part, Trump has softened his stance towards Zuckerberg.
In an interview in October, the elected president acknowledged that he appreciated Zuckerberg staying "out of the elections," referring to the controversial donations of 2020.
In an official statement, a spokesman for Meta described the meeting as “a crucial moment for the future of innovation in the United States.” Zuckerberg expressed his gratitude for the invitation and the opportunity to engage in dialogue with Trump’s team.
As of the closing of this report, no images from the meeting have emerged.
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