Zuckerberg’s Cozy Relationship with Trump Raises Eyebrows
*Mark Zuckerberg is making headlines again—not for a new product launch, but for a political pivot. The Meta CEO appears to be aligning with President Donald Trump in a move many view as calculated self-preservation. After years of public clashes, Zuckerberg’s recent gestures toward Trump suggest he’s trying to protect his $1.3 trillion empire from growing regulatory threats. From antitrust lawsuits to global scrutiny, Meta faces massive risks—and Trump may hold the key to shielding the company.
What’s Driving the Zuckerberg-Trump Alliance?
The Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust lawsuit against Meta, now in trial as of April 2025, could lead to the breakup of the tech giant. The agency wants to force Meta to divest Instagram and WhatsApp, arguing that Meta’s acquisitions were designed to crush competition. During Trump’s first term, his administration actually started this case. But since returning to power, Trump has softened his stance toward tech allies, creating an opening for Meta to reposition itself.
Zuckerberg has reportedly met with Trump at the White House and Mar-a-Lago multiple times since the 2024 election. The goal? To influence how the administration handles regulatory enforcement and possibly pressure the FTC to ease up. It’s not just the U.S. that’s the problem—Meta is also under fire from the European Commission for violating digital ad laws. With Trump’s trade team involved, Zuckerberg is hoping for a diplomatic nudge to help soften the EU’s penalties.
Meta Stands to Gain If TikTok Falls
Though Trump has flip-flopped on banning TikTok, such a move would be a golden opportunity for Meta. TikTok’s exit could reroute billions in ad revenue to Meta’s platforms, including Instagram and Threads. Analysts believe Meta is best positioned to capitalize, which makes a strong alliance with Trump even more critical as he shapes tech policy.
Concrete Actions That Show Zuckerberg’s Shift
- Policy Reversals: Meta scrapped its controversial fact-checking program and loosened content moderation—both long-time demands from conservatives.
- Personnel Moves: Zuckerberg appointed GOP-connected Joel Kaplan to lead global affairs, replacing liberal-leaning Nick Clegg. He also added UFC CEO Dana White, a known Trump ally, to Meta’s board.
- Financial Gestures: Meta donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund and paid $25 million to settle a Trump-led lawsuit from his social media ban in 2021.
- Public Praise: Zuckerberg publicly called Trump’s response to a 2024 assassination attempt “badass” and attended his 2025 inauguration.
The Bigger Picture: Transactional, Not Ideological
This isn’t about shared values—it’s business. Zuckerberg’s approval rating is just 25% (according to a February 2025 Pew survey), and he’s desperate to protect Meta from being dismantled. Aligning with Trump is a strategic move to stay in the game. It also mirrors Elon Musk’s path—Musk donated over $200 million to Trump’s campaign and gained major influence as a result.
Zuckerberg is also trying to stay relevant in AI and metaverse development, two areas where government policy could help or hurt. If Trump is re-elected in 2028, keeping Meta intact may depend on staying in his good graces.
Antitrust Lawsuit Still a Major Threat
The FTC lawsuit accuses Meta of monopolizing the social media market. Instagram and WhatsApp, purchased in 2012 and 2014, are central to the case. The FTC says Meta bought them to kill competition, not grow innovation. They also accuse Meta of blocking third-party developers and stifling new social platforms—classic antitrust violations.
If the FTC wins, Meta could be forced to break up. Instagram alone generates 30% of Meta’s ad revenue—estimated at $40 billion in 2023. A breakup could cut that down dramatically and open the door for new competitors.
Risks of the Trump Alignment
Zuckerberg’s move toward MAGA world isn’t without backlash. Many users, employees, and political allies are criticizing Meta’s recent shifts. Critics say ending fact-checking will supercharge misinformation. Others accuse Zuckerberg of selling out for profit after years of claiming to care about democracy and truth.
According to Pew, 67% of Americans view Zuckerberg unfavorably. His latest moves may protect Meta in the short term, but they risk long-term damage to public trust—and to the company’s internal culture.
Will the Gamble Pay Off?
So far, the results are mixed. The FTC trial is still active, and Trump hasn’t made any public promises to intervene. But if a TikTok ban happens, Meta stands to gain big. And if Trump installs a more business-friendly FTC chair, Zuckerberg may avoid the worst-case scenario of a forced breakup.
For now, Zuckerberg’s shift toward Trump is a gamble driven by self-preservation. Whether it works or not may depend on just how transactional Trump’s loyalty really is—and how far Zuckerberg is willing to go to protect Meta’s empire.
Internal Fallout and Employee Backlash
While Zuckerberg’s strategy may make sense from a boardroom perspective, it’s stirring unrest inside Meta. Several current and former employees have anonymously expressed concern over the company’s sudden ideological shift, particularly the rollback of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives and the abandonment of the fact-checking program. These moves have reportedly led to internal Slack debates, employee resignations, and mounting distrust among staff, particularly those from marginalized communities.
According to leaked internal memos, some employees feel the company’s core values are being sacrificed for political convenience. “It’s hard to feel proud of where we work when our leadership is aligning with figures who once threatened to jail our CEO,” one anonymous engineer told Recode, according to Vox. Others fear that this shift could make Meta a less attractive employer for young, socially conscious tech talent, especially in a competitive market where company culture matters as much as compensation.
With morale uncertain and public scrutiny intensifying, Zuckerberg may soon find that keeping his empire together isn’t just about external politics—it’s about internal stability too. If employee dissent continues to grow, it could impact productivity, innovation, and Meta’s ability to retain top-tier talent during a critical time in the company’s evolution.
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