Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg ‘asked to leave' Oval Office meeting? Know what was Trump discussing with officials
Mark Zuckerberg
was reportedly kicked out of an Oval Office meeting after he 'walked in unexpectedly' while President Trump met with high-ranking military leaders. Sources familiar with the recent meeting told NBC News that military leaders were shocked when Zuckerberg walked into the Oval Office during a discussion on the Air Force's next-generation fighter jet platform.
Dubbed 'MAGA Mark' by some, Zuckerberg allegedly lingered briefly before being told to wait outside. The exact date of the reported incident was not divulged.
Since Mark Zuckerberg didn't have security clearance, officials asked the social media magnate to wait outside, two people familiar with the matter told NBC. Officials were reportedly concerned about Zuckerberg's presence, citing that he didn't have the security clearance to be a part of the conversation.
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Mark Zuckerberg gate crashed Trump's office?
Zuckerberg, who attended President's inauguration on January 20, was then reportedly asked to leave the office and forced to wait outside. Sources told the outlet that officials in the meeting were 'mystified and a bit unnerved' with the lack of privacy in the Oval Office. One official even referred to the meeting as 'bizarro world.'
Live Events
But a Trump official has denied media reports that Mark Zuckerberg was kicked out of the Oval Office after crashing a meeting about the futuristic F-47 stealth fighter jet. A senior White House official told The New York Post that the report had 'mischaracterized' the situation.
'He was not asked to leave,' the official said. 'He popped in to say hello at the president's request, and then left to wait for his meeting with POTUS to begin, which was scheduled to occur after the meeting with the pilots.' An official statement from Meta is awaited on the matter.
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Zuckerberg has had a complicated history with politics. He initially voiced pro-immigration policies and supported liberal politicians before pivoting towards the MAGA agenda amid Trump's re-election campaign. In January, he also attended Trump's inauguration ceremony and was seen cozying up to fellow billionaires Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. Zuckerberg has faced widespread scrutiny in recent months over his attempts to cozy up with his onetime foe Trump following his win in the 2024 presidential election.
Life inside Trump's Oval Office
The incident offers a glimpse into the hectic and open-door environment of the Trump administration's headquarters. President Trump reportedly calls the Oval Office "Grand Central Terminal" due to the frequent flow of advisers, cabinet members, and influential figures passing through.
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Mark Zuckerberg's political stance has notably shifted over recent years and he has moved closer to the MAGA movement amid Trump's re-election efforts. The Meta CEO's growing rapport with Trump extended to White House meetings, although the incident of his ejection reveals the delicate balance between influence and protocol. UFC CEO Dana White, another Trump ally and Meta board member, also exemplifies this blending of politics and corporate power.
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