Donald Trump Hosts Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg for Dinner at Mar-a-Lago

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Donald Trump, the president-elect of the United States, dined on Wednesday with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. This high-profile meeting brought together the tech mogul and the former president, who had previously been banned from Facebook after the Capitol riot in January 2021.

Business Meets Politics

Stephen Miller, recently appointed as Trump’s deputy chief of staff, highlighted Zuckerberg’s interest in supporting the economic policies of Trump’s second term. In an interview on Fox News, Miller described Zuckerberg’s participation as part of a broader engagement with influential business leaders.

“Mark has his own interests and agenda,” Miller said. “But he’s made clear that he wants to support the national renewal of America under Trump’s leadership.”

Meta confirmed Zuckerberg’s attendance, noting that he joined Trump and members of his team to discuss the incoming administration’s plans.

A Complicated History

Trump's relationship with Zuckerberg has been turbulent. Facebook suspended Trump’s account in 2021 but reinstated it in early 2023. The dinner marks a potential thaw in relations, as Zuckerberg seeks to repair Meta’s standing among conservative audiences.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, Zuckerberg refrained from endorsing a candidate. However, he has since expressed admiration for Trump’s resilience, notably praising his response to an attempted assassination earlier this year. Zuckerberg has also been critical of the Biden administration, accusing officials of pressuring Meta to censor certain content during the pandemic.

Still, tensions have lingered. As recently as July, Trump criticized Zuckerberg on Truth Social, reviving the nickname “ZUCKERBUCKS” and accusing him of influencing election outcomes.

Elon Musk’s Growing Role

The meeting with Zuckerberg comes amid the rising influence of Elon Musk, another tech billionaire, in Trump’s MAGA movement. Musk has contributed $200 million through his political action committee and frequently visited Mar-a-Lago. Trump recently appointed Musk to co-lead the “Department of Government Efficiency,” an advisory panel tasked with identifying government waste, alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

Staffing Trump’s Second Administration

As Trump prepares for his second term, his administration is shaping up with notable appointments and bold policy ambitions. Observers are closely watching his staffing decisions and unconventional approaches, including the potential use of recess appointments to fill Cabinet positions.

Stay tuned for more updates on the formation of Trump’s administration and the evolving dynamics of his relationships with prominent tech leaders like Zuckerberg and Musk.