Facebook, WhatsApp owner Mark Zuckerberg dines with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago

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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg joined United States President-elect Donald Trump for dinner at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida Wednesday, with an advisor to the future president saying the tech billionaire “wants to support the national renewal of America.”

The 40-year-old tech tycoon, who leads the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp, has been carefully trying to mend ties with Trump.

Both men have had a strained relationship over the years, with Facebook being among social media networks that banned Trump after the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

 

But on Wednesday, a Meta spokesperson said: “Mark was grateful for the invitation to join President Trump for dinner and the opportunity to meet with members of his team about the incoming Administration.”

In a statement, the spokesperson added that it was an important time for the future of American innovation.

It was not immediately clear if billionaire Elon Musk, a close Trump ally who previously challenged Zuckerberg to a cage match fight, also attended the dinner, though he has frequently been present at Mar-a-Lago since the election.