Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram has made a $1 million donation to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund, marking a striking pivot in the relationship between the tech giant and Trump.
The donation, first reported by The Wall Street Journal and confirmed by CNN, has raised eyebrows given Meta’s contentious history with the former president.
This move represents a stark departure from the events of January 2021, when Meta banned Trump from its platforms following the Capitol insurrection. At the time, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that the risks of allowing Trump to remain on the platforms were “too great.” Yet, in the years since, the relationship appears to have thawed considerably.
Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and invest in Africa’s finest startups here.
From Ban to Backing: A Dramatic Turnaround
In a striking show of admiration earlier this year, Zuckerberg referred to Trump’s reaction to a simulated assassination attempt as “badass.” During an interview on The Circuit podcast at Meta’s Menlo Park headquarters, Zuckerberg commented: “Seeing Donald Trump get up after getting shot in the face and pump his fist in the air with the American flag is one of the most badass things I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Such remarks, coupled with the donation and Zuckerberg’s private meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago two weeks ago, signal a notable shift in Meta’s posture towards Trump.
Tech Titans Growing Their Alliance with Trump?
Meta is not alone in its renewed overtures to Trump. Executives from other major tech companies, including Apple’s Tim Cook, Google’s Sundar Pichai, and Amazon’s Andy Jassy, reportedly sought meetings with Trump during the election campaign. The shift reflects Silicon Valley’s strategic recalibration as it prepares for the policies and priorities of the upcoming administration.
For Trump, this warming relationship with tech leaders stands in sharp contrast to his earlier rhetoric. During his 2020 campaign and subsequent defeat, Trump frequently accused tech platforms of bias and censorship, going as far as labeling Facebook an “enemy of the people.” As recently as March, these criticisms sent Meta’s stock plummeting by over 4%. Trump even alluded to the possibility of imprisoning Zuckerberg in a post on Truth Social, describing him as an “election fraudster.”
Now, Trump has embraced the attention from Silicon Valley, showcasing private discussions with industry leaders and openly praising companies he once vilified.
Meta’s donation is likely part of a broader strategy to regain influence over tech policy under the new administration. Zuckerberg has reportedly expressed interest in playing a more active role in shaping the government’s tech agenda, an effort that may include lobbying for favorable regulations or forestalling potential antitrust actions.
The warming relationship could also benefit Trump, offering him an opportunity to reset his stance with an industry that plays an outsized role in shaping public discourse and political narratives. The president-elect, who launched Truth Social following his ban across major social media platforms, returned to X (Twitter) as his ban was lifted by the new owner Elon Musk. Trump’s return to X, where he has more than 95 million followers, boosted his audience reach during his campaign.
However, the donation has drawn criticism from some quarters, especially the Left, where the platform is believed to have leaned toward for long. Given the backlash the company faced following the January 6 insurrection, many argue that Meta’s apparent about-face undermines its credibility and raises questions about its political motivations.
Many believe that this pivot, for Meta, could be a calculated move to navigate regulatory policies under the Trump administration, particularly as the tech industry faces increasing scrutiny from lawmakers.