Meta Platforms has donated $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund, signaling a shift in CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s approach toward the incoming administration. This contribution marks a departure from Zuckerberg’s previous stance, which had seen tensions with Trump, particularly during the election campaign when the president-elect threatened to punish Zuckerberg over potential interference in the race.
The $1 million donation is part of Zuckerberg’s ongoing efforts to mend his relationship with Trump, a move that reflects a broader trend among tech CEOs. These leaders are balancing the challenges of having their companies frequently targeted by Trump and his allies, while also managing a workforce that tends to lean left politically.
As Republicans take control of the White House and Congress, and with calls for new tech regulations, some executives are shifting their posture toward the incoming administration. Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, once a critic of Trump, expressed optimism, stating that he’s “actually very optimistic this time around” and noted Trump’s calmer demeanor post-election.
Zuckerberg’s efforts to rebuild ties began several years ago, including a November 2024 dinner with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club, which focused on relationship-building. This dinner capped a series of meetings with Trump’s advisers, including the president-elect’s team and key Republican figures such as Senator Marco Rubio.
Zuckerberg also demonstrated Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses to Trump during this visit, gifting him a pair.
Although Zuckerberg has supported candidates from both parties in the past, his donation to Trump’s inaugural fund is a notable change, as he had not contributed to Trump’s 2017 inaugural fund or to President Biden’s 2021 fund. Both of those campaigns had also received significant contributions from corporate donors.