Meta’s recent decision to dismantle its fact-checking program has sent ripples throughout Silicon Valley, marking a significant shift in the way social media platforms approach free speech. The tech giant’s pivot towards embracing free expression principles is a notable change that extends beyond Facebook’s vast user base.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized this new direction, stating, “It’s time to get back to our roots around free expression on Facebook and Instagram.” This announcement accompanies sweeping changes that will lift restrictions on discussions about sensitive topics like immigration and gender. These policy adjustments are part of a broader restructuring within Meta, which includes appointing Republican Joel Kaplan as head of global policy and UFC CEO Dana White joining the board.
Behind these corporate changes lies an even more profound transformation in Zuckerberg himself. Once seen as a progressive tech leader from his days at Harvard, Zuckerberg’s evolution reflects a significant departure from his earlier liberal-leaning image. And honestly? The timing couldn’t be more perfect for such a shift.
Gone are the diversity initiatives and third-party fact-checkers that characterized Facebook’s approach during the Covid era. Instead, Meta introduces a Twitter-style “Community Notes” system that empowers users with more control over content moderation. This change follows private meetings between Zuckerberg and President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where they discussed resolving Trump’s 2021 lawsuit over his platform suspension.
In a recent appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Zuckerberg criticized the Biden administration for allegedly pressuring Meta executives to remove certain posts about the coronavirus. He described incidents where federal officials would “scream and curse” at company leaders who resisted censorship demands—a scenario that raises questions about democracy and freedom of speech.
“The US government should be defending its companies, not attacking them,” Zuckerberg asserted, earning praise from conservative circles for his stance. His political shift mirrors personal changes as well; once known as a scrawny programmer in hoodies, he now sports designer clothes and trains intensively in mixed martial arts.
“A lot of the corporate world is pretty culturally neutered,” he remarked to Rogan. “I think having a culture that celebrates aggression has its own merits.” This newfound philosophy extends beyond personal development; sources reveal that Zuckerberg’s Hawaiian estate includes an underground shelter with independent energy and food supplies—far from typical Silicon Valley luxury retreats.
Meta’s rightward turn reflects broader trends within America’s technology sector. Besides Zuckerberg’s interactions with Trump, other tech leaders like Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai of Google, and Tim Cook of Apple have also engaged with political figures since December 2024. Ben Mezrich noted this trend by saying, “Mark feels the way the wind is blowing,” suggesting tech billionaires are adapting to changing political climates.
With Meta pledging $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund alongside other tech giants recognizing this shifting landscape, conservatives see this as validation against Big Tech’s previous censorship tendencies. For many who felt silenced during restrictive years on these platforms, Meta’s new direction represents not just political expediency but also a return to core American values like free expression and limited government intervention—principles foundational during early internet days.
