President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund received a $1 million boost from Meta Platforms.
The move was reported in an exclusive article Thursday by The Wall Street Journal.
The donation is viewed as a way for Meta’s owner Mark Zuckerberg to mend his relationship with Trump prior to his reentry into the Oval Office.
The donation comes to light two weeks after Zuckerberg met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, but the WSJ reported the intent of the donation came before the meeting, according to people who are familiar with the discussions between Trump and Zuckerberg.
At the dinner, Zuckerberg also gave a demonstration on Meta’s latest invention – Ray Ban Smart Glasses, which he then gave to Trump.
Shortly after the meeting, Stephen Miller, a Trump adviser, told Fox News Zuckerberg “made clear that he wants to support the national renewal of America under Trump’s leadership.”
Trump hadn’t not been on Facebook following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He was banned for two years, per CBS News.
Trump’s account was restored with certain “guardrails” in 2023.
Those restrictions were then lifted in July.
Trump has a combined 65 million followers on Facebook and Instagram.
The presidential inauguration committee bankrolls everything regarding Inauguration Day, Jan. 20.
This includes the opening ceremony, parade, and balls. All donations must be disclosed with the Federal Election Commission within 90 days of the inauguration, per the Federal Election Commission.
