In a significant move indicating the evolving dynamics of corporate governance and political affiliations, Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's founder and CEO, has announced the appointment of Dana White, the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), to the board of directors. This decision comes just two weeks before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, with White being a noted supporter of him throughout his political campaigns, as reported by Forbes.

The announcement was made via Zuckerberg's Facebook post, where he highlighted his admiration for White as an entrepreneur and lauded his achievements in transforming UFC into a billion-dollar entity. Zuckerberg referenced that this **new board** structure aims to leverage "massive opportunities ahead in AI, wearables, and the future of social media."

White joins the Meta board alongside John Elkann, CEO of Exor, and tech investor Charlie Songhurst, expanding the board from ten to thirteen members. This addition is notably strategic, as tech companies are actively courting the incoming administration following a period of strained relations with Trump and his allies, who have accused social media platforms of bias against conservatives (NPR).

White's relationship with Zuckerberg has deepened over recent years, especially as Zuckerberg has participated in more UFC events and engaged in discussions about leveraging artificial intelligence. As White himself stated, "I've never been interested in joining a board of directors until I got the offer to join Meta's board. I am a huge believer that social media and AI are the future."

The new board members signal Zuckerberg's intention to navigate the complex landscape of social media policy under the Trump administration effectively. The tech titan, who has dabbled in martial arts and is a blue belt in jiu-jitsu, maintains a close friendship with White and has acknowledged the benefits of the UFC's brand identity in appealing to a younger audience.Meta's expanded leadership team reflects their commitment to seizing opportunities in emerging technologies.

This strategic direction aims to bolster Meta's goals in advancing social media technology and creating more robust user experiences, amidst a competitive landscape that is increasingly integrating AI-driven solutions. As Zuckerberg pointed out, "our board will help us achieve our vision."