Mark Zuckerberg, once Trump’s digital nemesis, dines at Mar-a-Lago, sparking speculation about a possible alliance between tech and politics.
At a Glance
- Mark Zuckerberg had dinner with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, despite previously banning him from Meta platforms
- The meeting was confirmed by Stephen Miller, incoming White House deputy chief of policy
- Zuckerberg expressed gratitude for the invitation and discussed the incoming administration
- Trump had previously accused Zuckerberg of plotting against him during the 2020 election
- The dinner suggests a potential thawing of relations between the tech mogul and the former president
Unexpected Dinner Sparks Speculation
In a surprising turn of events, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, dined with former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. This meeting has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum, given the tumultuous history between the two figures. Zuckerberg, who had previously banned Trump from Facebook and Instagram following the January 6 Capitol riot, now appears to be extending an olive branch to the former president.
The dinner, confirmed by Stephen Miller, the incoming White House Deputy Chief of Policy, has fueled speculation about the motivations behind this unexpected rendezvous. With Trump’s return to the White House looming, many are questioning whether this meeting signals a strategic realignment for both parties.
Donald Trump had dinner with Meta's Mark Zuckerberg at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago estate on Wednesday https://t.co/pUCvbkTnQu
— Bloomberg (@business) November 28, 2024
From Digital Exile to Dinner Guest
The irony of this meeting is not lost on political observers. Trump, who was banned from Meta’s platforms after the events of January 6, has been a vocal critic of Zuckerberg and other tech leaders. He even coined the nickname “ZUCKERBUCKS” in reference to Zuckerberg’s $420 million donation to fund election infrastructure in 2020, which Trump viewed as a move against his campaign.
Despite this contentious history, Zuckerberg appears to be making efforts to mend fences. A Meta spokesperson stated that he was “grateful for the invitation to join President Trump for dinner and the opportunity to meet with members of his team about the incoming Administration.”
Strategic Moves in a Changing Landscape
For Zuckerberg, this dinner could be an attempt to protect Meta from potential negative actions by a future Trump administration. It’s worth noting that Meta has contracts with the federal government and recently announced a collaboration to integrate its Llama AI division into government operations. Maintaining a cordial relationship with future leaders could be crucial for Meta’s business interests.
“Mark, obviously, he has his own interests, and he has his own company, and he has his own agenda. But he’s made clear that he wants to support the national renewal of America under President Trump’s leadership,” Miller said.
