Mark Zuckerberg's Meta donates $1 million to Donald Trump’s inaugural fund: Report

The donation comes two weeks after Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, held a private meeting with US president-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

Updated on: Dec 12, 2024, 11:43:35 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Mark Zuckerberg's Meta has donated $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund, CNN reported, citing confirmation from the company. The donation comes two weeks after the company's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, held a private meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago.

US President Trump late Thursday posted a picture on Facebook and Twitter showing him shaking hands with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, but didn’t share details of their conversation on Wednesday. (Photo Credit: DonaldTrump/Twitter)

The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on the contribution.

Zuckerberg appears to be seeking a more influential role in the incoming administration, possibly involving contributions to shaping tech policy, the CNN report added.

This marks a significant shift from nearly four years ago when Meta banned Trump from its platforms following the January 6, 2021 insurrection.

On Wednesday, Donald Trump hosted a dinner with Mark Zuckerberg at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. According to a Meta representative, Zuckerberg met with Trump and his team during the visit. While the details of their discussion were not disclosed, the representative described the session as occurring at a pivotal moment for US innovation. They added that Zuckerberg did not stay for Thanksgiving.

Zuckerberg-Trump relations

Mark Zuckerberg and Donald Trump have had a fraught relationship over the years, which escalated after Facebook banned the then-president in January 2021 following the attack on the US Capitol.

Trump later hinted at the possibility of imprisoning Zuckerberg, accusing him of interfering in the 2020 election.

In early 2023, Meta reinstated Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. Following an attempted assassination on Trump in Pennsylvania in July, Zuckerberg told Bloomberg, “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.”

This fall, Zuckerberg spoke to Trump by phone and later posted a congratulatory message after Trump won the election earlier this month.

When asked about the meeting between Trump and Zuckerberg on Wednesday, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said, “We do not comment on reports of private meetings that did or did not occur.” However, Stephen Miller, an adviser to the president-elect, confirmed to Fox News that the meeting had occurred.

(With Bloomberg inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.