Meta has confirmed the dismissal of 20 employees for leaking confidential information to the media, during increasing scrutiny over CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s recent political pivot towards former President Donald Trump. The social media giant stated that the decision followed an internal investigation into breaches of company policy regarding the sharing of internal communications.
“We tell employees when they join the company, and we offer periodic reminders, that it is against our policies to leak internal information, no matter the intent,” a Meta spokesperson stated, confirming reports first shared by The Verge. The company emphasized that further action would be taken if additional leaks are identified.
The firings come in the wake of multiple media reports regarding Zuckerberg’s internal meetings, where he expressed frustration over the leaks and hinted at a more secretive approach moving forward. He also mentioned that Meta would aim to be a productive partner with the White House in the coming year, signaling a shift in its political approach.
This development comes as Zuckerberg has notably warmed to Trump, engaging with the former president after a period of tension. Since Trump’s return to political prominence, Zuckerberg has shifted his stance, easing content moderation on Facebook, dining with Trump, and appointing a Trump ally to his board. Additionally, Zuckerberg has voiced his support for embracing “masculine energy” in the corporate world, a sentiment echoed by figures such as Elon Musk.
