Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg admitted he “messed up” by allowing his companies—Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—to get too involved in politics, a decision he now regrets. Speaking at a podcast event in San Francisco earlier this month, Zuckerberg acknowledged his lack of political savvy, lamenting the impact it has had on Meta’s brand. “The political environment, I think I didn’t have much sophistication around, and I think I just fundamentally misdiagnosed the problem,” Zuckerberg said, according to The New York Times. “I think it’s going to take another 10 years or so for us to fully work through that cycle before our brand is back to the place that it could have been, if I hadn’t messed up in the first place.”
Zuckerberg’s remarks reflect his growing desire to distance Meta from political controversies that have plagued the company, particularly during and after the 2020 election cycle. Over the past few months, Zuckerberg has attempted to repair relationships with prominent figures on the right, including President Trump. According to reports, the two have spoken twice recently as part of Zuckerberg’s effort to build bridges with conservative leaders.
At a conference this summer, Zuckerberg expressed regret for hiring employees at his philanthropic organization who pushed him to adopt more left-leaning causes. This admission comes amid broader efforts by Zuckerberg to rebalance Meta’s image, which many conservatives have criticized for its perceived bias.
In a letter to Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Zuckerberg detailed pressure from the Biden administration to censor “pandemic-related” content on Meta’s platforms.
To improve his standing with right-wing media and Republican officials, Zuckerberg has also brought on Republican strategist Brian Baker to help Meta rebuild relationships with conservative groups.
In a notable gesture, Zuckerberg personally apologized to Trump after Meta removed images of an assassination attempt on the former president during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. As Zuckerberg seeks to reposition Meta, he appears committed to disentangling his companies from the political quagmire that has undermined their reputation in recent years.
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