Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced that he will not be endorsing either Donald Trump or Joe Biden in the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election. This decision aligns with Zuckerberg’s ongoing approach to maintain a neutral stance in the political arena. Despite increasing involvement from other tech moguls in political endorsements, Zuckerberg has chosen to keep Meta’s platform impartial.
Meta has frequently flagged Trump’s posts for containing misinformation and violating content rules on its platforms. Following the January 2021 Capitol riots, Meta suspended Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts for about two years. Zuckerberg mentioned that Meta is implementing changes aimed at reducing Facebook’s role as a flashpoint in elections. “I think you’re going to see our services play less of a role in this election than they have in the past,” he was quoted as saying.
This development follows a backdrop of contentious interactions between Zuckerberg and Trump. The former president has publicly criticized Zuckerberg, even threatening legal actions against him if re-elected, particularly over allegations of election interference.
By declining to endorse any candidate, Zuckerberg aims to avoid further politicization of Meta, which has faced scrutiny and criticism from both sides of the political spectrum regarding its role in managing election-related content. This neutral stance underscores Zuckerberg’s commitment to focusing on Meta’s technological advancements and business operations without direct political involvement.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Zuckerberg described former President Trump’s immediate reaction after being shot as “badass” and inspiring which according to Zuckerberg, helps explain Trump’s appeal to voters.