Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund

Meta announced a donation of USD 1 million to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.

The company confirmed this contribution, diverging from Zuckerberg’s previous stance, especially after a contentious election in which Trump threatened repercussions against tech leaders who opposed him.

The donation reflects technology CEOs' complicated dynamics as they navigate relationships with political leaders, particularly with Trump, whose policies have often targeted the tech industry. Many executives, aware of the Republican control over the White House and Congress, are reevaluating their strategies toward the administration.

Notably, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, previously a critic of Trump, extended his congratulations to the president-elect on social media, recognizing Trump’s "extraordinary political comeback." Bezos expressed optimism about the new administration, commenting on Trump’s demeanor and approach compared to previous years.

Zuckerberg's efforts to mend ties with Trump included a dinner at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. This meeting aimed at fostering a better relationship and involved discussions with key Trump advisors, including Senator Marco Rubio and incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles. Prior to this gathering, Zuckerberg presented Trump with a pair of Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses.

Historically, Zuckerberg contributed to candidates from both political parties but has avoided making significant donations during presidential campaigns. He did not support Trump’s inaugural fund in 2017 or President Biden's fund in 2021, both of which received substantial donations from major corporations.

The relationship between Zuckerberg and Trump has been inconsistent over the years. Following Trump's election in 2016, Zuckerberg's lobbying group, FWD.us, contributed USD 5,000 to his transition team. However, shortly after, Zuckerberg publicly criticized Trump’s immigration policies, expressing concern for their implications.

Throughout Trump’s presidency, the two maintained a sporadic connection, including a meeting in the Oval Office in 2019. Yet, tensions escalated after the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, when Facebook suspended Trump’s account, prompting the former president to declare he would not engage with Zuckerberg again.

In 2021, Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, enlisted Republican strategist Brian Baker to help bridge gaps with Republican officials, particularly regarding the controversial USD 400 million they donated to election infrastructure during the pandemic.

Critics labeled these funds "Zuckerbucks," alleging they aimed to boost Democratic voter turnout, a claim both Zuckerberg and election officials denied.

Recently, Trump has not shied away from expressing his sentiments about Zuckerberg. In a post on his platform, Truth Social, he warned Zuckerberg about potential repercussions if he attempted to interfere in the upcoming election.

Despite past tensions, their relationship has seemingly improved. Zuckerberg publicly praised Trump's responses to various events and acknowledged a more amicable dynamic between them.

In recent months, Zuckerberg has also expressed a willingness to criticize Democrats while showing support for Republican perspectives.