Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is making headlines with his latest public relations push, but Americans should not be fooled. His new public image cannot erase Facebook’s well-documented history of censoring conservative viewpoints and aiding the Biden administration in suppressing free speech.
On “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Zuckerberg claimed that Facebook resisted demands from the Biden White House to remove content critical of the COVID-19 vaccine. He described how officials would pressure Facebook employees to take down posts, including memes. Zuckerberg suggested that his company refused to comply with these demands.
This narrative falls apart when examined against the “Facebook Files,” released by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH). These documents reveal that Facebook routinely bowed to government pressure, targeting conservative voices and limiting the reach of content that criticized the administration. Internal emails show that Facebook even created new censorship policies in response to Biden officials’ repeated complaints.
In one instance, Senior Adviser Andy Slavitt demanded the removal of memes mocking the vaccine rollout. Facebook executives acknowledged that complying would cross traditional free speech boundaries but still moved forward with downranking conservative content. The platform actively worked to suppress voices like Tucker Carlson who questioned the administration’s pandemic response.
Zuckerberg is now trying to reinvent himself as a supporter of free expression. His public appearances and image revamp are part of a strategy to regain trust. However, his actions during the 2020 election, including a $450 million donation to election-related efforts, suggest his loyalties lie with political elites rather than everyday Americans.
This sudden shift in messaging should not be mistaken for a genuine change of heart. Zuckerberg’s platform was instrumental in controlling the narrative during critical moments, and his latest attempts to rewrite history cannot hide that fact.
Americans should not trust Zuckerberg’s new persona. His track record shows a willingness to censor and silence dissent when it serves political interests, making his recent claims of supporting free speech seem extremely insincere.
