Zuckerberg and Trump Meet at Mar-a-Lago Ahead of New Administration
President-elect Donald Trump hosted Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg for a private dinner at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on November 27, 2024. The high-profile meeting marked a significant moment in the relationship between the former president and the Meta chief, whose company had previously banned Trump from its platforms following the events of January 6, 2021.
A Meta spokesperson confirmed the meeting, stating that Zuckerberg was “grateful for the invitation to join President Trump for dinner and the opportunity to meet with members of his team about the incoming Administration.”
The gathering is part of a broader effort by Zuckerberg to strengthen ties with conservative leaders and reshape Meta’s image on the political right. Trump’s deputy chief of staff for his second term, Stephen Miller, noted that Zuckerberg is among several business leaders expressing support for Trump’s economic agenda. “Mark has his own interests, his own company, and his own agenda,” Miller said in an interview with Fox News. “But he’s made clear that he wants to support the national renewal of America under Trump’s leadership.”
A Complicated History Between Trump and Meta
Tension has long defined the relationship between Trump and Zuckerberg. Following the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Meta suspended Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, citing the risk of inciting violence. His accounts were reinstated in early 2023 with a series of “guardrails” in place. By mid-2023, those restrictions were lifted entirely, allowing Trump to resume posting freely.
Despite his return to Meta’s platforms, Trump has not shied away from criticizing Zuckerberg. In July 2024, Trump posted on his own social network, Truth Social, threatening to prosecute election-related fraudsters while referencing Zuckerberg with the nickname “ZUCKERBUCKS,” a term popular among Trump supporters critical of Meta’s role in the 2020 election.
In recent months, however, Zuckerberg has taken a more positive stance toward Trump. Earlier in 2024, Zuckerberg publicly praised Trump’s response to his first assassination attempt, calling it “badass.” Zuckerberg also criticized senior Biden administration officials, alleging they pressured Meta to censor certain COVID-19-related content during the pandemic.
Musk’s Growing Influence in Trump’s Inner Circle
While Zuckerberg’s meeting with Trump drew attention, another tech titan has become a key player in Trump’s political sphere — Elon Musk. Since purchasing Twitter (now X) in 2022, Musk has played a prominent role in reshaping social media dynamics, notably reinstating Trump’s X account after conducting a public poll.
Musk’s influence extends beyond social media. Since Trump’s 2024 election victory, Musk has spent significant time at Mar-a-Lago, solidifying his position within Trump’s advisory network. The president-elect has tapped Musk to co-lead a special advisory group called the “Department of Government Efficiency,” which aims to identify and eliminate wasteful government spending. Musk will co-chair the initiative alongside venture capitalist and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
Musk’s financial backing has also bolstered Trump’s political agenda. His political action committee (PAC) has contributed an estimated $200 million to Trump’s re-election effort, further solidifying Musk’s status as a major political influencer within Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.
The meeting between Trump and Zuckerberg at Mar-a-Lago underscores the evolving relationship between the former president and Big Tech leaders. While Zuckerberg’s efforts to reestablish ties with Trump signal a shift in strategy for Meta, Elon Musk’s growing influence in Trump’s advisory circle highlights the tech industry’s deepening involvement in U.S. politics. As Trump prepares for his second term, the role of tech moguls like Zuckerberg and Musk could prove pivotal in shaping the administration’s economic and regulatory policies.