During a private dinner at the White House attended by several tech industry leaders, former President Donald Trump turned heads with an offhand remark aimed at Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. In a moment caught on video that quickly went viral, Trump jokingly suggested that Zuckerberg should consider running for political office, saying, "You’d make a great candidate, Mark." Without missing a beat, Zuckerberg raised his hands and responded with a quick, slightly nervous laugh and a firm, "No, no. Not at all."
The exchange, though lighthearted, sparked widespread discussion online, with many interpreting Zuckerberg’s reaction as a calculated effort to distance himself from politics—especially amid increased scrutiny of Meta’s influence in U.S. elections. Commentators noted the irony of Trump, a figure known for his combative relationship with social media, publicly engaging Zuckerberg in this manner. The viral clip has already amassed millions of views across TikTok, X, and Instagram, fueling memes and speculation alike.
Trump’s casual remark may have been a joke, but for many observers, it underscored just how blurred the lines have become between corporate leadership and political influence in the digital age.