★ Private Action
Meta donates $1M to Trump inauguration amid admin outreach
Donations In, Favors OutThe $251M InaugurationWhere the Settlements Went
Filed January 2025$1,000,000
★ The Brief
What happened
Before settling its lawsuit with Donald Trump, Meta donated $1 million to his 2025 inauguration fund. The gift came alongside a series of moves to court the incoming administration — ending the company's third-party fact-checking program, putting Republican lobbyist Joel Kaplan in charge of global policy, and adding UFC chief executive Dana White, a Trump ally, to its board.
Who enabled it
Who benefits
Prior to the settlement, Meta donated $1 million to Donald Trump's inauguration fund. This donation was part of a series of actions by Meta — including ending third-party fact-checking, appointing Republican lobbyist Joel Kaplan to lead its global policy team, and adding Dana White to its board — described by reporting as a conspicuous effort to improve relations with the incoming Trump administration.
Further reading
- ★ Private ActionOctober 2025Corporations pledge funding for Trump's $300M White House ballroom
- ★ Private ActionJanuary 2025Meta pays $22M to Trump library to settle Facebook ban suit
- ★ Private ActionJuly 2026FIFA reverses a US player's World Cup ban after Trump's call
- ★ Private ActionJune 2026Trump owns private-prison stocks his deportation drive is enriching
- ★ Government ActionFebruary 2026Trump threatens to block Gordie Howe Bridge opening to punish Canada
- ★ Government ActionFebruary 2026Moroun lobbies Lutnick before Trump threatens Gordie Howe Bridge