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Priscilla Chan, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Lauren Sanchez are among the guests who attended Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president of the United States on January 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
In a bid to outline his objectives for the new year, Mark Zuckerberg shared a video on Instagram, emphasizing his commitment to restoring “free expression” across Meta’s platforms. He expressed intentions to collaborate with President Trump, arguing that it is essential to resist government actions he claims are detrimental to American businesses and innovation. However, he did not mention that Meta’s internal moderators would be employed to censor employee dissent regarding these initiatives. Additionally, by aligning more closely with Trump, Zuckerberg may be hoping to divert the president’s criticism away from Meta towards rival Apple.
As Meta navigates this transition, the authority of its 40-year-old founder remains a pivotal force within the company, particularly in light of the rightward shift following Trump’s electoral victory. The sense of unease among Meta’s nearly 75,000 employees is palpable, especially as the company recently began job cuts targeting lower-performing staff, which amounts to about 5% of its total workforce.
The company has reportedly sought to silence internal criticism by monitoring feedback on its Workplace social network. Employees who voiced negative opinions were informed that such comments would impact their performance reviews, leading many to hesitate about resigning out of concern for how they would be viewed by prospective employers, especially considering Meta’s public stance on eliminating “low performers.”
Since 2022, Meta has implemented significant workforce reductions, laying off around 21,000 employees, which constitutes nearly a quarter of its personnel. This includes those from the civic integrity group, known for being vocal critics of Zuckerberg’s leadership. Recently, substantial shifts in policy appear to be driven by Trump’s influence, affecting both employees and users of Meta’s platforms.
In a notable policy change, Meta has dismantled its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and eased content moderation restrictions, reflecting Trump’s opposition to so-called “woke policies.” The company also issued its annual report to the Securities and Exchange Commission, acknowledging these changes, particularly in relation to content enforcement.
Strategic Positioning Against Competitors
Sources indicate that Zuckerberg is willing to embrace these risks in anticipation of the advantages that could arise from fostering a better rapport with Trump. In contrast to Meta’s historical advocacy for equitable treatment within the tech sector, Zuckerberg is now looking for competitive benefits. A central concern for him is Elon Musk’s increasing presence in the Trump administration, where Musk is focused on deregulation. This environment could place Meta at a disadvantage compared to Musk’s own ventures in artificial intelligence.
However, Zuckerberg’s primary aim in enhancing his relationship with the White House seems to be to turn the tide of scrutiny towards Apple. Following a tumultuous period marked by an internal backlash against Apple’s 2021 iOS privacy update—which significantly disrupted Meta’s ability to track users and adversely affected its advertising revenue—Zuckerberg is renewing his campaign against Apple. This rivalry has escalated to the point where Meta has filed complaints against Apple in Brazil, alleging anticompetitive practices.
Zuckerberg’s aggressive critique of Apple has intensified, particularly following the significant financial impact of the iOS changes on Meta’s advertising performance. He has openly criticized Apple’s ecosystem and its limitations on third-party integrations, claiming that Apple’s operational decisions hinder competition and stifle innovation.
Leadership and Political Dynamics at Meta
Joel Kaplan, a veteran political operative with deep ties to the Republican Party, is spearheading Meta’s policy shifts. Kaplan recently took the helm of Meta’s policy division from Nick Clegg, who had previously adopted a more moderate stance. Kaplan’s leadership is indicative of a notable pivot to the right in Meta’s political alignment, coinciding with the company’s current strategy to curry favor with Trump and his administration.
Among Kaplan’s significant decisions was his presence at Brett Kavanaugh’s contentious Supreme Court confirmation hearings, which initially stirred internal controversy but have since been reframed as a tactical advantage given his connections to the Trump administration. This shift in leadership comes alongside Meta’s broader adjustments in content moderation and policy strategies. Kaplan’s approach has consistently leaned toward promoting a more lenient stance on policy enforcement, a stark contrast to Clegg’s previous leadership, which favored stricter moderation policies.
In a noteworthy development, Meta recently reached a settlement with Trump regarding the suspension of his social media accounts following the Capitol riots, reinstating him on the platform after a two-year hiatus. Trump’s positive remarks about Meta’s new policy directions signal a burgeoning relationship that Zuckerberg appears eager to cultivate.
Overall, as Meta navigates the complexities of its evolving corporate culture in conjunction with its political maneuvering, the impact on its workforce and the competitive tech landscape will continue to unfold in the months ahead.
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