Zuckerberg’s Support for Trump Marks Public Shift, But Meta Insiders Say ‘It Was Always There’
GeokHub
Contributing Writer
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s recent public alignment with President Donald Trump has stirred headlines, but insiders say the political pivot is less of a change—and more a revelation of long-standing private views.
According to a report by the Financial Times, dozens of people who have worked with or known Zuckerberg closely said the billionaire tech executive’s embrace of conservative causes and figures has been “just beneath the surface” for years.
“Mark was trying to keep his real feelings tight inside and put on a suit and cut his hair and be a good boy,” one unnamed Meta insider said. “But the whole time this was all one inch underneath. Then he said, ‘F— it. I might as well be the person I really am.’”
Political Turn: From Opposition to Alignment
Zuckerberg, once known for opposing Trump-era policies and backing liberal causes, has gradually reversed course since Trump’s re-election in November. Sources say he has:
- Met privately with Trump at Mar-a-Lago
- Donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund
- Attended the inauguration and co-hosted a high-level reception
- Adjusted Meta policies to better align with the administration’s stance on content moderation and free expression
Internal Culture Shift
Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, told the FT that Zuckerberg’s current persona—a promoter of “masculine energy” and free speech—is simply the unfiltered version of a CEO who long felt constrained by public and political expectations.
“The public is seeing him more how we have, internally, since the beginning,” Bosworth said, implying that the Zuckerberg of recent months is more “authentic” than the suit-wearing, regulation-fearing executive of the past.
Meta declined to comment for the story. The White House has not yet issued a statement.
Triggers and Turning Points
Zuckerberg’s shift appears to have accelerated around 2020, when the Biden administration pressured platforms to moderate Covid-19 misinformation. Although Facebook complied at the time, Zuckerberg later expressed regret—fueling his pivot toward anti-regulation, pro-speech messaging.
Since then, the Meta CEO has distanced himself from progressive tech circles, embraced Brazilian jiu-jitsu, adopted a new wardrobe of streetwear and luxury accessories, and echoed language popular among conservative influencers.
His appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, in which he defended “masculine energy,” drew internal backlash—but Zuckerberg reportedly refused to walk the comments back.
Image vs. Influence
Some former insiders suggest the transformation is as much about public relations as politics.
“He saw that Elon Musk was popular among the tech bros,” one source said. “There was a push to make him cool. The core of The Social Network movie is true—he just wants people to like him.”
Whether strategic or personal, Zuckerberg’s political realignment is reshaping Meta’s culture, leadership tone, and policy priorities—at a time when the company is aggressively pushing into artificial intelligence and preparing for renewed scrutiny in Washington.
