Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, has reportedly donated $1 million to the inauguration fund of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. This marks a significant departure from the company’s previous practices, where CEO Mark Zuckerberg had maintained a neutral stance regarding political support.
A spokesperson for Meta confirmed the donation to Reuters, with the Wall Street Journal first reporting the news. The contribution is particularly surprising given Zuckerberg’s past public statements. In a press conference before Kamala Harris was nominated for the U.S. presidency, Zuckerberg had made it clear that he did not support either Trump or Harris, reflecting Meta’s position of staying away from direct political endorsements.
Meta’s donation comes at a time when Zuckerberg, who is ranked fourth on Forbes’ list of the world’s richest individuals, has increasingly faced scrutiny over his company’s influence in politics. The donation represents a shift in Meta’s approach to political funding, especially considering Zuckerberg’s earlier resistance to supporting Trump’s re-election campaign in 2020.
In a broader context, Meta’s donation is seen as part of a growing trend of tech industry involvement in political fundraising, where other major figures like Elon Musk, the world’s richest person and a close associate of Trump, are also aligned with the former president.
At the same time, Donald Trump has been named “Person of the Year” by Time magazine for the second time, a title that highlights his continued influence in global politics. Time’s recognition underscores Trump’s ongoing dominance in political and media circles, despite the controversies surrounding his presidency.
This donation from Zuckerberg, along with other corporate contributions, has raised questions about the role of tech companies in shaping political landscapes, particularly as they continue to exert vast influence over public discourse through their platforms.
