Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, has appointed UFC president Dana White to its board of directors, signaling a deepening relationship with the incoming administration. This move follows recent efforts by the tech giant to align with the Republican party.
White's appointment comes after a period of fluctuating relations between Meta and the Trump administration. Previously, Meta had suspended Trump's accounts following the January 6th Capitol insurrection. However, the social media giant reinstated his accounts in 2023.
Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, praised White's entrepreneurial spirit and leadership in building the UFC. This appointment underscores a broader effort to foster positive ties with the incoming administration, exemplified by recent donations and high-level meetings.
The strategic move to include White is widely interpreted as a calculated attempt to gain favor with the incoming Republican leadership and potentially navigate potential future policy changes. This aligns with Meta's broader approach, including the appointment of Joel Kaplan as chief global affairs minister, a former Republican Federal Communications Commission chair to a key post.
These appointments echo a pattern of similar engagement by other major tech companies with the incoming administration, following significant contributions to Trump's inaugural fund and high-profile interactions.
However, this developing partnership faces potential challenges. Trump's trade policies could disrupt electronics supply chains that rely on China, creating potential friction. Furthermore, internal divisions within the Republican base over immigration policies could also create challenges for Meta's relationship with the administration.
