Dana White Joins Meta’s Board, Strengthening Ties with Trump Administration

Meta Platforms Inc. has appointed Dana White, the CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), to its board of directors, further tightening its connections with President-elect Donald J. Trump’s incoming administration. White, a close Trump ally, joins alongside John Elkann, CEO of Exor, and Charlie Songhurst, a former Microsoft executive and AI advisor. The additions expand Meta’s board to 13 members and mark a strategic pivot in the company’s leadership.

Strengthening Political Ties

The appointment of White comes as Meta seeks to align itself more closely with the incoming administration. Last week, Meta revamped its policy team, appointing a senior executive with deep Republican ties to head its global policy division. Additionally, the company has pledged $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, signaling a broader effort to bridge the gap with conservatives who have long criticized the platform for alleged censorship.

Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago recently, a meeting that underscored the evolving relationship between the tech giant and the president-elect. The appointments also reflect Zuckerberg’s strategy to balance Meta’s technological ambitions with the political realities of increased scrutiny from Washington.

White and Zuckerberg: A Shared Passion

Dana White, known for transforming UFC into a global sports and entertainment juggernaut, has a long-standing friendship with Zuckerberg, bonded by their mutual love for mixed martial arts. Zuckerberg, who began practicing MMA in 2022, expressed admiration for White’s entrepreneurial success.

“Dana has built UFC into one of the most valuable, fastest-growing, and beloved sports enterprises in the world,” Zuckerberg wrote in a Facebook post.

In 2023, White famously attempted to organize a cage fight between Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, another Trump ally. While the match never materialized due to Musk’s withdrawal, the incident highlighted White’s unique ability to intertwine business and pop culture.

Broader Implications for Meta

The new board members signal Meta’s evolving focus on artificial intelligence, wearable technology, and its social media empire. John Elkann, CEO of Exor, brings global business expertise from overseeing companies like Ferrari and Jeep, while Charlie Songhurst adds deep knowledge of AI and innovation.

“We have massive opportunities ahead in A.I., wearables, and the future of social media, and our board will help us achieve our vision,” Zuckerberg stated.

Meta has been investing heavily in wearable devices, including smart sunglasses and gaming headsets, while competing in the global AI race with open-source generative systems.

Meta’s Challenges Ahead

While the new appointments bolster Meta’s leadership, the company continues to face criticism from conservatives over content moderation practices. Trump and his allies have accused Meta of censoring right-wing voices, a charge that has intensified with promises from Trump-appointed regulators to crack down on Big Tech.

By bringing in figures like Dana White and other leaders with connections to the incoming administration, Zuckerberg appears to be navigating a fine line between innovation and political strategy.

As Meta looks to the future, its ability to balance these competing pressures will shape the trajectory of both the company and its broader role in the digital world.