Following Donald Trump's victory in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, embarked on a nationwide tour to connect with people in states he had previously overlooked. This initiative marked the beginning of a series of strategic moves by Meta to align its business operations with evolving political landscapes. In a recent development, Meta announced the termination of third-party fact-checking, lifting restrictions on contentious topics such as immigration and gender identity, and reintroducing political content to users' feeds. This policy shift has sparked internal dissent among Meta employees and raised questions about the company's commitment to maintaining a safe online platform.
Zuckerberg, along with other technology executives, visited Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida after the 2016 election, signaling a willingness to engage with the new administration. Despite these efforts, Trump has accused Zuckerberg of conspiring against him during the 2020 election. In his book "Save America," Trump alleged that if such actions were repeated, Zuckerberg would "spend the rest of his life in prison."
"spend the rest of his life in prison" – Donald Trump
Internally, many Meta employees have criticized the recent policy changes, arguing that the company is shirking its responsibility to ensure a safe digital environment. This decision has significantly impacted Meta's civic integrity and trust and safety teams, raising concerns about the platform's future direction.
The context for this policy shift is multifaceted. While Trump has yet to articulate detailed policy proposals for a potential second term, Meta stands to benefit from relaxed AI regulations that the White House might implement, contrasting with stringent European Union restrictions. Such regulatory leniency could enable Meta to expand its advanced AI technologies, which require massive data centers and sophisticated computer chips for development.
Zuckerberg's overtures to Trump began months before the 2020 election, as Meta adjusted its policies to align with its business and reputational goals amid changing political dynamics. A company spokesperson asserted that Meta tailors its policies to best serve its strategic interests.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Meta adopted a firm stance on misinformation, with a policy executive stating in 2021 that the prevalence of vaccine misinformation violating company policies was excessive.
"reached a point where it's just too many mistakes and too much censorship" – Mark Zuckerberg
The company's decision to alter its policy on politically sensitive topics is viewed by some as a response to internal and external pressures. Joel Kaplan, Meta's newly appointed president of global affairs, has deep ties to the Republican Party, having previously clerked for the late conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
Meta's policy shift comes in the wake of significant workforce reductions. The company laid off 21,000 employees in 2022 and 2023, nearly a quarter of its workforce, making it more amenable to implementing unpopular changes to remain agile and resilient.
Meta's annual expenditure on personal security for Zuckerberg and his family amounts to $14 million, underscoring the importance of safeguarding its leadership amid heightened scrutiny.
Despite these challenges, Zuckerberg remains committed to steering Meta through turbulent political waters. His interactions with political figures reflect a calculated approach to securing favorable conditions for Meta's growth.