Zuckerberg’s political shift didn’t shock Meta staff: ‘The whole time this was all one inch underneath’ | The Independent Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Not nowYes pleaseUS EditionChangeSupport NowSupport NowMenuMoreThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inZuckerberg’s political shift didn’t shock Meta staff: ‘The whole time this was all one inch underneath’Meta has implemented policy shifts that are more closely aligned with the administration since Trump was electedin New YorkFriday 20 June 2025 23:49 BSTCommentsMark Zuckerberg calls Donald Trump 'badass' but does not endorse himYour support helps us to tell the storyRead moreFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read more CEO ‘s recent public support for President did not come as a shock to those who know or have closely worked with him, with dozens of people saying some changes at the company are part of the tech billionaire’s long-held beliefs. Dozens of people who have either worked with or known Zuckerberg told the Financial Times that the CEO’s more public shift toward Trump is just Zuckerberg displaying the more “authentic” version of himself to the world, even though he was once known to support liberal ideology and voiced opposition to Trump’s policies during the first administration. “Mark was trying to keep his real feelings tight inside and put on a suit and cut his hair and be a good boy. But the whole time this was all one inch underneath,” an unnamed Meta insider told the outlet. “Then he said, ‘F*** it. I might as well be the person I really am.’”Since Trump was elected in November, the CEO has met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, attended the inauguration, co-hosted a reception, and Insiders told the newspaper that the tech billionaire’s unapologetic pro-“masculine energy”, free speech-loving shift is only a shift to the public. open image in galleryMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly become a more authentic version of himself by rejecting norms and supporting President Donald Trump (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)RecommendedTop 10 wealthiest American men collectively earned extra $1B a day, report says, as Trump pushes tax cutsZuckerberg reportedly cozied up to Trump so he could settle his FTC lawsuit for $450m instead of $30bnThe trial to decide if Meta has to sell Instagram and WhatsApp begins this week. Here’s everything you need to know“The public is seeing him more how we have, internally, since the beginning.” Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s CTO, told FT. Bosworth suggested that Zuckerberg’s former suit-wearing, government-obeying self was just the Meta CEO doing what he thought he was supposed to be doing.The Independent has asked the White House for comment. Meta declined to comment for this story. Zuckerberg’s private shift toward more conservative figures, such as Trump, was reportedly a slow movement that was seemingly triggered by constant pushback against Facebook – Meta’s former name – from both the public and lawmakers, especially those seeking to regulate the tech industry.One major shift came in 2020, when Biden administration officials which he did and later regretted.open image in galleryZuckerberg and other CEOs attended Trump’s inauguration in January (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)But under the Trump administration, Zuckerberg appears less concerned with appeasing the public. Appearing on Joe Rogan’s podcast recently, the Meta CEO said he believes “masculine energy is good.” Even when executives challenged Zuckerberg’s comments, he refused to apologize. Those familiar with Zuckerberg told FT that his decision to lean into hobbies such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu or wear more streetwear or cozy up to the administration is all part of Zuckerberg’s efforts to get people to like him.“He saw that Elon Musk was popular among the tech bros,” a former insider said. “There was a push to make him cool. The core of the Social Network movie is true — he just wants people to like him.”More aboutJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesCommentsMost PopularPopular videosRead NextToday’s EditionIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduThe StandardPuzzlesIndependent AdvertisingSyndicationWorking at The IndependentModern Slavery StatementThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in , Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg‘s recent public support for President Donald Trump did not come as a shock to those who know or have closely worked with him, with dozens of people saying some changes , Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg’s public embrace of President Trump and his apparent transformation into "MAGA Mark" has horrified staffers and executives at the social media giant, according to a report..