Meta, the social media giant, announced the addition of three new directors to its board on Monday, including UFC president Dana White, who is also a close ally of US President-elect Donald Trump. This move comes as Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has been engaging with the incoming Trump administration, notably making a $1 million donation to Trump’s inauguration fund and dining with the president at his Mar-a-Lago resort in November.
In another move to strengthen ties with the Trump team, Meta recently appointed Republican figure Joel Kaplan as the head of public affairs, replacing Nick Clegg. Trump, who has criticized Meta for its perceived liberal bias, had his Facebook account suspended following the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack, though it was reinstated in early 2023.
Dana White, a longtime friend of Trump, expressed that his decision to join Meta’s board was influenced by his belief in the future of social media and AI. Alongside White, John Elkann, the CEO of Exor and chairman of Stellantis and Ferrari, and former Microsoft executive Charlie Songhurst also joined the board, bringing the total number of directors to 13.
These appointments signal Meta’s increasing focus on artificial intelligence and wearable technology. Zuckerberg highlighted that the new board members’ expertise will be crucial in navigating opportunities in AI, wearables, and the evolving landscape of human connection.
