Donald Trump has shared that he now holds a more positive view of Mark Zuckerberg, stating that he likes him “much better now” that he is “staying out of the election.” The former President, who has previously criticised Facebook as “a true enemy of the people,” seems to be warming up to the tech billionaire since Zuckerberg has distanced himself from politics.
In a recent episode of Barstool Sports’s podcast Bussin’ With The Boys, Trump mentioned, “I actually believe he’s staying out of the election, which is nice.” Trump appreciated Zuckerberg’s gesture of calling him after the July assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump’s response was described by Zuckerberg as “one of the most bada** things” he had witnessed.
The relationship between the two was strained following Facebook’s decision to ban Trump from the platform after the January 6 Capitol riot, with Trump once calling Zuckerberg out on social media. However, recent developments suggest a thaw in their interactions. Zuckerberg reportedly reached out to Trump to mend their relationship and has expressed leaning towards more libertarian or classical liberal politics than progressive views.
In a phone call recounted by Trump to New York Magazine, Zuckerberg allegedly stated that he would not vote for a Democrat in the 2024 election, emphasizing that he could not support the opposing candidates after witnessing Trump’s actions. Previously known for his funding of left-wing causes, Zuckerberg has now expressed a desire for Meta, his company, to maintain a nonpartisan stance.
Zuckerberg’s recent decisions, including the abolition of Meta’s election integrity team, downsizing of political content in news feeds, and withdrawal of transparency tools related to misinformation tracking, have reportedly pleased Trump. This shift in Zuckerberg’s political engagement appears to have garnered Trump’s favour, marking a notable evolution in their previously contentious relationship.