Washington, United States:
On Wednesday, Mark Zuckerberg dined with Donald Trump at the latter’s Mar-a-Lago estate. An advisor to the president-elect indicated that the tech entrepreneur “is eager to contribute to the national renewal of America.”
The 40-year-old CEO of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has been making efforts to repair his relationship with Trump. Their interactions have been fraught over the years, particularly following Facebook’s decision to ban Trump from its platforms after the events of January 6, 2021.
A spokesperson for Meta stated on Wednesday, “Mark appreciated the invitation to dine with President Trump and valued the chance to engage with members of his team regarding the forthcoming Administration.” The spokesperson further emphasized that this is a pivotal moment for the future of innovation in America.
It remains uncertain whether billionaire Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump who had previously challenged Zuckerberg to a cage match, was present at the dinner, although he has often been seen at Mar-a-Lago since the election.
Stephen Miller, who will serve as Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy, remarked to Fox News on Wednesday that Zuckerberg “has expressed a clear intention to support and actively participate in the transformation occurring across America.”
He has expressed his intention to back the national revitalization of America under the leadership of President Trump, Miller stated during a televised interview.
While exercising caution during Trump’s initial term, prominent figures in the technology sector were quick to praise the Republican’s electoral success this time, with Zuckerberg being one of those who extended his congratulations.
Prior to the election, Zuckerberg ceased election-related philanthropic efforts, and Meta adjusted its algorithms to limit political content.
Previously, Zuckerberg had made significant contributions to support nonprofits aimed at enhancing the electoral infrastructure in the United States during the Covid pandemic.
These donations were later highlighted by Trump following his 2020 defeat to Joe Biden, who falsely claimed they were part of a scheme to influence the election.
