Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg visited the White House on Thursday to discuss Meta’s role in helping the Trump administration with America’s international tech leadership, the company confirmed.
“Mark Zuckerberg was at the White House today to discuss how Meta can help the administration defend and advance American tech leadership abroad,” Meta spokesperson Andy Stone wrote on X Thursday.
A White House official confirmed Zuckerberg was at the White House, but did not provide any further details. It was unclear whether Zuckerberg met with President Trump, who spent much of Thursday huddling with Republican lawmakers about advancing his agenda.
The meeting comes just weeks after Zuckerberg attended Trump’s inauguration at the Capitol and appeared to get closer to the president’s orbit.
In an earnings call late last month, Zuckerberg told investors this year will be a “big year for redefining our relationship with governments.”
“We now have a US administration that is proud of our leading companies, prioritizes American technology winning and that will defend our values and interests abroad,” Zuckerberg continued.
“And I am optimistic about the progress and innovation that this can unlock,” he added.
Zuckerberg and Trump had a tumultuous relationship in recent years, though the president has warmed up to the tech leader in the months leading to and after his reelection.
Some Democrats and other observers have slammed Zuckerberg and other tech executives for attempting to win favor with the president to protect their companies from unfavorable legal or policy moves.
Late last month, Meta agreed to a $25 million settlement with Trump in his 2021 lawsuit against the company over its decision to suspense his accounts in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection.
Earlier last month, Meta eliminated its fact-checking program in a sharp reversal for the social media company. The program, started in 2016, was often touted by Meta as a way to prevent mis and disinformation on its platforms.
Trump suggested the fact-checking changes had something to do with him, telling reporters earlier this month that the decision was “probably” in response to his previous threats against Zuckerberg and the company.
