Former President Donald Trump recently dropped a bombshell during an interview with Fox News. He revealed some unexpected details about a phone conversation he had with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, following an alleged assassination attempt on July 13th when Trump was hit by a rifle round. This event not only highlighted Trump’s tenacity but also seemed to instigate a change in Zuckerberg’s political alignment.
In his discussion with Maria Bartiromo, Trump spoke highly of Zuckerberg’s call. As per Trump, Zuckerberg lauded his courage and declared that he would no longer back the Democratic Party. “So Mark Zuckerberg called me – first of all, he called me a few times. He called me after the event and said ‘that was really amazing, that was very brave,'” Trump shared. This indicates a considerable shift for Zuckerberg, who has previously faced backlash for how his company manages political content.
Zuckerberg’s apology and newfound admiration for Trump starkly contrast with the position of other tech behemoths like Google. According to Trump, while Facebook rectified its censorship errors, Google continues to behave irresponsibly. He hinted that Google’s conduct might lead to severe repercussions. “I have a feeling that Google’s going to be close to shut down, because I don’t think Congress is gonna take it,” he warned.
🚨 BREAKING: Trump says Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg called him after the assassination attempt, said he isn’t going to support a Democrat and apologized for Facebook and Instagram censoring the iconic photos of him with his fist raised.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) August 2, 2024
The relationship between Silicon Valley and political figures is historically fraught. During the 2016 elections, Facebook came under fire over reports that Russian intelligence officials utilized the platform to disseminate disinformation. As a result, Zuckerberg pledged to clamp down on false political rhetoric and limited political advertising. Despite these measures, the tech industry remains split. While Zuckerberg and Elon Musk may quietly support Trump, many in Silicon Valley still back liberal figures such as Vice President Kamala Harris.
This divide is further accentuated by recent activities from tech investors. More than 100 tech investors, including Reid Hoffman and Vinod Khosla, have committed to fundraising and campaigning for Harris. This sets Zuckerberg and Musk against the majority of their industry colleagues, who tend to align more with liberal ideologies.
Trump’s account of his conversation with Zuckerberg not only illuminates the shifting political dynamics within Silicon Valley but also highlights the ongoing struggle over free speech and political sway in tech. As we approach the 2024 election, the alliances and endorsements from influential figures like Zuckerberg will undoubtedly influence the political terrain.
To sum up, Trump’s disclosure about his chat with Zuckerberg underscores a pivotal moment at the crossroads of politics and technology. The former president’s resilience coupled with Zuckerberg’s unexpected support hint at a potential shift in Silicon Valley’s political leanings, setting the stage for a contentious and closely monitored election season.
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