Meta CEO Zuckerberg Lobbies Trump to Avoid Antitrust Trial: Report
In a shocking move, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly been lobbying US President Donald Trump to agree to a settlement that would prevent Meta from facing an antitrust trial in a lawsuit filed by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The news has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, with many questioning the motivations behind Zuckerberg’s sudden decision to seek a settlement.
According to a report published by the Wall Street Journal, Meta’s representatives met with Trump and his senior advisers to discuss the possibility of a settlement. The meeting is said to have taken place in early April, and it remains unclear whether Trump has agreed to the proposal or not.
The lawsuit in question was filed by the FTC in December 2024, alleging that Meta’s acquisition of Instagram and WhatsApp in 2012 and 2014, respectively, was anticompetitive and eliminated emerging competition in the social media space. The FTC claims that Meta overpaid for the two companies, using the acquired assets to further entrench its dominant position in the market.
Meta, on the other hand, has maintained that the acquisitions were legitimate and did not harm competition. The company has argued that Instagram and WhatsApp have continued to operate independently and have not been forced to adopt Meta’s business practices.
So, why is Zuckerberg suddenly seeking a settlement? Some observers believe that the CEO is worried about the potential consequences of an antitrust trial, which could result in significant fines or even the forced divestiture of Instagram and WhatsApp. Others speculate that Zuckerberg is trying to curry favor with Trump, who has been known to be sympathetic to big tech companies.
It’s worth noting that Trump has a history of taking a pro-business stance, and his administration has been accused of being soft on antitrust enforcement. In 2020, the Trump administration sued to block a merger between two major tech companies, but ultimately lost the case.
The timing of the reported meeting is also interesting. Trump has been out of office for several months, and it’s unclear why Meta would be seeking a settlement now. Some have speculated that the company is trying to get in front of potential antitrust legislation that could be passed by the new administration.
Regardless of the motivations behind the meeting, the news has sparked a heated debate about the role of big tech in the economy. Many have argued that the dominance of companies like Meta, Amazon, and Google is stifling innovation and harming smaller businesses.
“Zuckerberg’s decision to lobby Trump to avoid an antitrust trial is a clear example of how big tech is using its influence to evade accountability,” said Sarah Miller, executive director of the American Economic Liberties Project. “The public deserves a fair and competitive market, not a few giant companies using their power to crush smaller rivals.”
On the other hand, some have argued that the FTC’s lawsuit is misguided and that Meta’s acquisitions were legitimate business deals.
“Meta’s acquisition of Instagram and WhatsApp was a strategic move to expand its offerings and compete with other social media companies,” said a spokesperson for Meta. “The FTC’s lawsuit is an attempt to rewrite history and punish Meta for its success.”
Regardless of where you stand on the issue, one thing is clear: the meeting between Zuckerberg and Trump highlights the complex and often fraught relationship between big tech and the government. As the tech industry continues to evolve and grow, it’s clear that regulators and lawmakers will need to grapple with the challenges posed by the dominance of a few giant companies.
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