The social media giant Meta has announced the addition of UFC CEO Dana White to its board of directors, as part of a strategic shift under CEO Mark Zuckerberg to align more closely with the upcoming Trump administration. This appointment comes alongside two other new board members, John Elkann, CEO of Exor and chair of Stellantis and Ferrari, and tech investor Charlie Songhurst, expanding the board to 13 members.

Zuckerberg expressed optimism about the new additions, stating, “Dana, John and Charlie will add a depth of expertise and perspective that will help us tackle the massive opportunities ahead with AI, wearables, and the future of human connection.” White himself noted his excitement about the opportunity, declaring, “I am a huge believer that social media and AI are the future.”

This notable board appointment is not just about expertise; it also signifies a potential ideological pivot at Meta. The UFC head has been a staunch ally of President-elect Donald Trump, even engaging in supporting activities during the 2024 campaign. White's connections with Trump stretch back years, as he has offered venues for UFC events and publicly supported the former president at various occasions.

Meta’s recent leadership changes reflect a strategic posture of cooperation towards Trump, enhanced by Zuckerberg's actions, including a significant donation of $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund and a recent meeting at Mar-a-Lago. The company's new head of public affairs, Joel Kaplan, is also known for his deep ties to Republican politics, marking a shift aimed at fostering a stronger relationship with the incoming administration.

While there are concerns over the implications of this shift, Zuckerberg appears to be positioning Meta for better alignment with conservative leadership, following criticisms of bias against right-wing perspectives on the platform. This move is accompanied by the easing of some content moderation policies that had previously drawn fire from conservatives, establishing a delicate balance between tech governance and political relations.

For more details on this development, see the original sources from The Hill, South China Morning Post, and CNN.