Well, it looks like Meta has made another power move, and this one’s bound to ruffle a few feathers in Silicon Valley. UFC CEO Dana White, a proud Donald Trump supporter and self-proclaimed American dream advocate, has officially joined the board of Meta. If you’re wondering how that’s sitting with the usual crowd of tech elites and media critics, let’s just say their outrage machine is probably already running on overtime.
Dana White isn’t exactly the type of guy you’d expect to see on the board of a social media juggernaut like Meta, but that’s precisely why this move is so fascinating. White is a no-nonsense entrepreneur who built the UFC from a fringe spectacle into a global sports empire. He’s a guy who knows how to brand, market, and fight (literally and figuratively). And now he’s bringing that tough-as-nails mentality to the tech world. If nothing else, it’s going to make Meta’s board meetings a lot more interesting.
White himself seems pumped about the opportunity, calling social media and AI “the future” and expressing excitement about helping Meta grow. “There is nothing I love more than building brands,” White said, which is undeniably true given what he’s done with UFC. He also dropped some glowing praise for Meta, which, let’s be honest, probably hasn’t heard much of that lately.
And let’s not forget the timing. This announcement comes on the heels of Meta naming Republican Joel Kaplan as its new president of global affairs, replacing Nick Clegg, who leaned heavily to the left. Kaplan, a veteran of the Bush administration and longtime Meta insider, brings a more conservative perspective to a company that’s been widely criticized for political bias. Between Kaplan and White, Meta is clearly signaling that it’s ready to embrace a broader ideological spectrum—or at least distance itself from its left-leaning reputation.
HOLY FREAKING CRAP$META JUST NAMED UFC CEO DANA WHITE TO IT’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS$META +5%
This is one of the SMARTEST things that Zuckerberg has ever done.
Why?
– Dana White is cool. He is one of those guys that people just like. Zucks has recently started to get into MMA,… pic.twitter.com/OnCUxqKacV
— amit (@amitisinvesting) January 6, 2025
Of course, the connection to Donald Trump can’t be ignored. White has been one of Trump’s most vocal supporters, famously nominating him at the Republican National Convention and speaking passionately about their 25-year friendship. He’s described Trump as tough, resilient, and someone who genuinely cares about people—a far cry from the caricature often painted by the mainstream media. White’s admiration for Trump seems to run deep, and it’s clear the feeling is mutual, with Trump honoring White in turn.
White’s loyalty to Trump is as evident in his rhetoric as it is in his actions. He’s consistently credited Trump with embodying strength, leadership, and the American dream. And while White’s language—calling Trump “the toughest, most resilient human being I’ve ever met”—might sound like it came straight from a Rocky script, it resonates with many Americans who see Trump as a fighter for their values.
Meanwhile, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg seems thrilled to have White on board, praising him as an entrepreneur and brand-builder. Zuckerberg’s recent meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago only adds fuel to the speculation that Meta is leaning into a new era of bipartisan—or at least less partisan—leadership.
BREAKING: Mark Zuckerberg announces sweeping changes to Facebook and Instagram to move toward Free Speech including:
-Ending Third-Party Fact Checking and Replacing it with Community Notes like
-Removing Reduction of Political Content
-Lifting Topic Restrictions pic.twitter.com/9Y2DVQSrpk— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 7, 2025
For a company often criticized for censorship and political bias, these moves are a clear pivot toward shaking up its image. Whether you view this as Meta embracing free speech and diversity of thought or simply hedging its bets under a Trump administration, it’s a bold move. And with Dana White in the mix, it’s safe to say Meta’s boardroom just got a lot more interesting—and maybe a little rowdier.
