Meta has announced the appointment of three new board members, including Dana White, in a move to mend ties with Donald Trump ahead of the US presidential inauguration. The addition is expected to bring fresh perspectives and expertise to Meta’s leadership team.
Meta Adds New Board Members Amid Efforts to Mend Ties with Donald Trump
Meta has announced the appointment of three new board members, including Dana White, the chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and close Donald Trump ally. This move comes ahead of the US presidential inauguration later this month.
The other two new members of Meta’s board are John Elkann, who leads European investment firm Exor, and Charlie Songhurst, a former Microsoft executive. The addition of these three individuals is expected to bring a depth of expertise and perspective that will help Meta tackle emerging opportunities in artificial intelligence, wearables, and the future of human connection.
Under the leadership of Mark Zuckerberg, Meta has been making efforts to mend ties with Trump, who had previously barred him from Facebook and Instagram following the US Capitol riot in January 2021. Relations between the two parties had been frosty since then, but have appeared to thaw in recent months. In August, Trump wrote a book stating that Zuckerberg would “spend the rest of his life in prison” if he attempted to interfere in the 2024 US election. However, the president-elect later softened his position, expressing gratitude towards Zuckerberg for staying out of the election.
The appointment of Dana White as a board member is seen as significant, given his close relationship with Trump and the UFC’s global reach. White has previously rejected suggestions that UFC platforms promote hate speech, stating that individuals should be free to express themselves without restriction. This stance aligns with Meta’s efforts to prioritize free speech on its platforms.
As Dana White joins the board of Meta, he expressed excitement about being a part of the company’s future endeavors in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. The appointment of these new board members is expected to bring fresh perspectives and expertise to Meta’s leadership team, as the company continues to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and social media.
Key Players on Meta’s Board
-
Dana White: Chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and close Donald Trump ally
-
John Elkann: Leader of European investment firm Exor
-
Charlie Songhurst: Former Microsoft executive
