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Although the details of their private meeting remain unclear, the event has drawn attention due to the complex history between the two.
Stephen Miller, the incoming deputy chief of staff for policy, confirmed the dinner during an appearance on Fox News. He described Zuckerberg’s participation as a sign of his willingness to support the changes Trump is championing.
“Mark Zuckerberg has been very clear about his desire to be a supporter of and a participant in this change that we’re seeing all around America, all around the world, with this reform movement that Donald Trump is leading,” Miller stated.
Miller went on to highlight Zuckerberg’s recognition of Trump’s leadership. “He understands that President Trump is an agent of change, an agent of prosperity. CEOs everywhere want to be supporters of making our economy prosperous, delivering for American workers, and ensuring America remains the most powerful, wealthiest, freest nation on the planet,” Miller added.
Despite Zuckerberg’s alignment with certain aspects of Trump’s vision, Miller acknowledged the Meta CEO’s distinct business interests and agenda, noting that his attendance reflected a broader commitment to fostering national renewal under Trump’s leadership.
The meeting marks a significant moment in the complex and often tumultuous relationship between Trump and Zuckerberg.
In 2021, Trump was banned from Facebook and Instagram after Meta cited his “praise for people engaged in violence at the Capitol on January 6.” This suspension, which impacted Trump’s nearly 54 million followers across both platforms, was a major point of contention between the two.
Trump has since called Facebook “a true Enemy of the People” and accused the company of interfering in the 2020 election. He even suggested in his book Save America that Zuckerberg could face prison time if involved in the 2024 election.
Yet, recent developments suggest a thaw in their relationship.
In July, Meta lifted restrictions on Trump’s accounts, allowing him back on the platforms. Around the same time, Zuckerberg expressed admiration for Trump’s resilience, referring to his fist-pumping response following the July 13 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“Seeing Donald Trump get up after getting shot in the face and pump his fist in the air with the American flag is one of the most badass things I’ve ever seen in my life,” Zuckerberg said in a Bloomberg interview.
Trump, in turn, softened his rhetoric toward Zuckerberg in October, thanking him during an interview on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast for staying neutral in the upcoming election and acknowledging a supportive phone call he received after the assassination attempt.
The Thanksgiving Eve dinner has prompted questions about what the two men discussed and whether it signals the beginning of a more cooperative relationship between Trump and Zuckerberg.
While both have much to gain from working together, the specifics of their collaboration remain unclear. Nonetheless, the meeting is a notable development in the evolving dynamic between the former president and one of the most influential figures in technology.