Trump Forms Tight Relationship With Mark Zuckerberg
In a recent interview, former President Donald Trump expressed a newfound appreciation for Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, noting he prefers Zuckerberg’s current approach of stepping back from the political arena. Trump, speaking on the Barstool Sports podcast “Bussin’ With The Boys,” remarked, “I actually believe he’s staying out of the election, which is nice.” This comment marks a significant shift in their relationship, which has been strained since Facebook banned Trump from the platform following the events of January 6, 2021. Trump’s account was reinstated in early 2023.
Despite acknowledging Zuckerberg’s recent efforts to distance Meta from political content, Trump has not held back in criticizing the platform. He has labeled Facebook an “Enemy of the People” and warned that banning TikTok in the U.S. would only boost Facebook’s market share. In a March post on Truth Social, Trump asserted, “If you remove TikTok, Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg will double the business. I do not want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better.”
Zuckerberg’s strategy to disengage from politics is evident. Earlier this year, Instagram modified its algorithms to reduce the promotion of political content unless users explicitly opt in. In interviews, Zuckerberg has stated he will not endorse any candidates for the 2024 election, including Trump or President Biden, who has since been replaced on the Democratic ticket by Vice President Kamala Harris. Zuckerberg commented on the intensity of Trump’s spirit, recalling how Trump defiantly pumped his fist after an assassination attempt, calling it “one of the most badass things I’ve ever seen.”
Interestingly, Trump claimed that Zuckerberg reached out after the assassination attempt, suggesting he couldn’t vote for a Democrat. However, Meta has refuted this, reiterating Zuckerberg’s commitment to remaining neutral in the upcoming election. As the political landscape evolves, both figures appear to be navigating their roles carefully, with Zuckerberg aiming for a less partisan presence while Trump continues to advocate for his supporters and criticize perceived injustices.
