Meta donates $1m to Trump's inaugural fund in move to strengthen ties

Meta Platforms has donated $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund, marking a shift in CEO Mark Zuckerberg's approach to the incoming administration.

This donation departs from past practices, as Zuckerberg and Meta had previously refrained from contributing to Trump's inaugural fund in 2017 or President Biden’s fund in 2021.

The move comes after a tense election campaign in which Trump threatened to punish Zuckerberg if he influenced the election against him.

The donation reflects a broader trend among tech CEOs to strengthen ties with Republicans, who are poised to take control of the White House and Congress.

Zuckerberg’s relationship-building efforts with Trump date back to previous years, including a November dinner at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.

In addition to the dinner, Zuckerberg’s team met with senior White House advisers and Senate nominee Marco Rubio. Meta also demonstrated its Ray-Ban smart glasses to Trump during the visit.

This donation and outreach illustrate Zuckerberg's attempt to balance his company's position with the new political climate, as tech regulation becomes a major concern for the incoming administration.