Meta Taps UFC’s Dana White for Board: Tech Giant’s Bold Move Signals Political Shift
Staff Editor Meta Announces Dana White as New Board Member, Signaling Shift in Leadership
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has appointed Dana White, the CEO of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), to its board of directors. The announcement comes as part of a series of changes in Meta’s leadership structure, reflecting the company’s focus on emerging technologies and its evolving political landscape.
White, known for his successful tenure at UFC and his long-standing relationship with former President Donald Trump, expressed enthusiasm for his new role. “I’m excited to join Meta’s board and contribute to the company’s vision for social media and artificial intelligence,” White stated in a press release.
The appointment highlights White’s connections to Trump, dating back to 2001. Trump has been a frequent attendee at UFC events, and White has spoken at Republican national conventions, underscoring the political dimension of this board appointment.
Concurrent with White’s addition, Meta announced the departure of Nick Clegg, former leader of the UK Liberal Democrats and Meta’s president of global affairs. Joel Kaplan, who has strong ties to the Republican party, is set to replace Clegg, further shifting the political dynamics of Meta’s leadership.
These changes come against the backdrop of Meta’s past conflicts with Trump. The company banned the former president from its platforms in 2021 for praising the Capitol riots, leading to a lawsuit from Trump alleging censorship. Meta reinstated Trump’s accounts two years later, though tensions remain.
In what appears to be a move towards reconciliation, Meta has pledged $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund. The company has also added John Elkann and Charlie Songhurst to its board, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasizing the new board’s expertise in AI and future technologies.
These strategic appointments aim to position Meta at the forefront of technological innovation while navigating a complex political landscape. As the company continues to evolve, the impact of these leadership changes on its policies and direction remains to be seen.
