Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg has decided not to support either Donald Trump or Joe Biden in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. According to Bloomberg News on Friday, Zuckerberg plans to stay neutral and not get involved in the political race.
In an interview on “The Circuit with Emily Chang” at Meta headquarters in Menlo Park, California, on Thursday, Zuckerberg explained his decision. He noted that while some big tech leaders like Tesla CEO Elon Musk and venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz are backing Trump, he will not endorse anyone.
Zuckerberg also talked about a recent incident where former President Trump was attacked. During a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a gunman shot at Trump, grazing his ear. Zuckerberg described Trump’s reaction as ‘badass’ and inspiring, which he believes explains why many people support Trump. “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. “On some level as an American, it’s like hard to not get kind of emotional about that spirit and that fight, and I think that that’s why a lot of people like the guy.”
This attack has caused anger among Trump’s supporters and disrupted the Democratic campaign, raising fears of more political violence.
Under Zuckerberg’s leadership, Meta Platforms has often been involved in controversies related to Trump. The company has flagged many of Trump’s posts for misinformation and breaking content rules. After the January 2021 Capitol riots, Facebook and Instagram suspended Trump’s accounts for about two years.
Mark Zuckerberg said Meta is making changes to ensure its platforms have less influence on the election. “I think you’re going to see our services play less of a role in this election than they have in the past,” he stated.
Meta and Zuckerberg did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. As the 2024 presidential race continues, Zuckerberg’s choice to stay neutral is a significant decision in this highly charged political environment.