What's happened
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg held a private meeting with Attorney General Pam Bondi on March 12, 2025, at the Justice Department. The discussion focused on how to communicate Meta's concerns to President Donald Trump. The meeting occurred shortly before Zuckerberg met Trump at the White House and ahead of an FTC antitrust trial against Meta.
What's behind the headline?
The meeting between Zuckerberg and Bondi highlights Meta's strategic efforts to influence regulatory and political narratives during a critical period. Zuckerberg's private consultation with the Attorney General suggests a calculated attempt to navigate the complex landscape of antitrust scrutiny and political influence. The timing—just before Zuckerberg's White House visit and the FTC trial—indicates Meta's awareness of the importance of high-level communication. This episode reveals how Big Tech executives are increasingly engaging with political figures to shape policy outcomes. The fact that Zuckerberg sought advice on communicating with Trump underscores the importance of personal diplomacy in the tech industry's regulatory battles. The broader context shows Meta's efforts to mitigate legal risks while maintaining favorable relations with key political actors, which could impact the trajectory of antitrust enforcement and regulatory policies in the US. This story foreshadows ongoing tensions between tech giants and regulators, with Zuckerberg's Washington visits likely to intensify as legal and political pressures mount. The outcome of the FTC case remains uncertain, but the episode underscores the importance of behind-the-scenes lobbying and strategic communication in shaping tech regulation.
What the papers say
The articles from The Independent, NY Post, and Business Insider UK all detail Zuckerberg's private meeting with Attorney General Pam Bondi on March 12, 2025, at the Justice Department. The NY Post emphasizes the timing of the meeting just hours before Zuckerberg's White House visit with Trump, and notes the lack of clarity on Bondi's advice. Business Insider highlights the broader context of Zuckerberg's efforts to influence the FTC case and his multiple Washington visits, including private meetings with Trump aides and participation in White House events. The Independent adds that Zuckerberg's outreach is part of a larger charm offensive amid regulatory pressures from the FTC and European authorities. While the sources differ slightly in focus—some emphasizing the political maneuvering, others the legal implications—they collectively portray a strategic effort by Meta to manage its regulatory and political environment during a pivotal period.
How we got here
In 2025, Meta faces mounting regulatory pressure in the US and Europe, including an antitrust case from the FTC that could force Meta to spin off Instagram and WhatsApp. Zuckerberg has actively engaged with Washington officials, including Trump aides and White House events, amid efforts to influence regulatory outcomes and improve relations with the Trump administration.
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Facebook, Inc. is an American social media conglomerate corporation based in Menlo Park, California. It was founded by Mark Zuckerberg, along with his fellow roommates and students at Harvard College, who were Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Mosk
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Mark Elliot Zuckerberg is an American media magnate, internet entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is known for co-founding Facebook, Inc. and serves as its chairman, chief executive officer, and controlling shareholder.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Pamela Jo Bondi is an American attorney, lobbyist, and politician. A Republican, she served as the 37th Florida Attorney General from 2011 to 2019.