Zuckerberg meets Trump at Mar-a-Lago after years of tense relations

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg met with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Wednesday, according to The New York Times, which cited sources familiar with the meeting. Trump adviser Stephen Miller confirmed the meeting later that evening in a conversation with Fox News.

The encounter marks the latest chapter in a fraught relationship between Trump and Zuckerberg, whose interactions have been marked by public tensions and personal barbs.

Zuckerberg’s companies, particularly Facebook, became focal points of Trump’s criticism following the platform’s decision to ban him after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. Trump responded by filing lawsuits against Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and their CEOs in July 2021, alleging censorship and a violation of his free speech rights.

In a statement earlier this year, Trump accused Zuckerberg of benefiting from legislative efforts to ban TikTok, suggesting such a move would bolster Meta’s business. On his platform, Truth Social, Trump referred to Zuckerberg as “Zuckerschmuck” and claimed Meta conspired against him during the 2020 election.

Trump has also targeted Zuckerberg for his philanthropic contributions to election infrastructure during the 2020 race, accusing him of influencing the outcome through “shameful Lock Boxes.” In his book Save America, Trump detailed Zuckerberg’s visits to the Oval Office, alleging that Zuckerberg plotted against him while maintaining a cordial front.

Despite their contentious history, Zuckerberg joined other tech leaders in publicly congratulating Trump after his 2024 election victory, writing on Threads, “Congratulations to President Trump on a decisive victory. We have great opportunities ahead of us as a country.”

Zuckerberg’s stance on Trump has appeared nuanced. While Meta’s official position on political endorsements remains neutral, Zuckerberg notably praised Trump’s resilience in the aftermath of a July assassination attempt, calling it “one of the most badass things I’ve ever seen” during a Bloomberg interview.

As Trump prepares to take office, his interactions with prominent tech leaders like Zuckerberg could shape future policies, particularly in areas where technology and governance intersect. Neither Meta nor Trump’s transition team provided additional details about the content of Wednesday’s meeting.