Zuckerberg Consults Bondi on Engaging Trump Amid Antitrust Case
Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, held a private meeting with former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi in March 2025 to discuss strategies for communicating with President Donald Trump. This meeting occurred on March 12, just weeks before an important trial regarding an ongoing antitrust case brought against Meta by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The details of this meeting have emerged from the book “Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America,” authored by ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl. During their discussion, Zuckerberg sought Bondi’s advice on how to effectively communicate Meta’s concerns to Trump, emphasizing the significance of their relationship as the company faced legal challenges.
Meeting Context and Implications
The meeting took place at the Department of Justice as Zuckerberg made one of several trips to Washington, D.C. that year. On the same day, he also met with Trump at the White House. This interaction is particularly noteworthy given the backdrop of the FTC’s antitrust case against Meta, which began during the final months of Trump’s presidency and continued under President Joe Biden. The trial commenced in April 2025 and concluded in May 2025, with a ruling pending on whether Meta violated antitrust laws.
If the government prevails in the case, Meta may face significant repercussions, including the potential requirement to spin off popular platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp. As of now, a federal judge has not yet determined the outcome of this high-stakes legal battle.
Zuckerberg’s meeting with Bondi reflects a broader trend among major technology leaders navigating their relationships with Trump since his inauguration. Zuckerberg was present at Trump’s inauguration in January 2017 and was photographed alongside the president during a White House dinner in September 2025, which followed an AI summit led by Melania Trump.
In addition to their personal interactions, Meta is also one of several tech firms that have agreed to contribute to the construction of a new ballroom at the White House, further indicating the complex ties between Silicon Valley and the current administration.
Both Meta and Bondi’s representatives declined to comment on the specifics of the meeting, leaving the public to speculate about the implications of such high-profile interactions in the context of ongoing regulatory scrutiny. As Big Tech continues to grapple with increasing regulatory pressures, the strategies employed by leaders like Zuckerberg could have lasting impacts on their companies and the broader tech landscape.
