Donald Trump Called Facebook CEO Many Times, The Content Was Unexpected

Photo: Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump raises his fist on Day 1 of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, July 15, 2024. (REUTERS/Andrew Kelly)

HOLIDAY NEWS - Donald Trump has been outspoken about receiving repeated calls from Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) CEO Mark Zuckerberg. This is quite surprising, because Zuckerberg has long been known as a figure who is vocal in his opposition to the Republican presidential candidate.

In an interview with Fox, Trump said that recently he often received calls apologizing from Zuckerbeg. The reason is, the Meta AI system stated that the attempt to assassinate Trump did not occur.

Trump was angry at Truth Social, his own platform. He said that Meta and Google committed election fraud by suppressing information related to the shooting.

Zuckerberg's apology seemed to soften tensions between him and Trump. So far, Trump has often mocked Meta and his top officials.

"I believe in Zuckerberg. He called me many times. They [Meta] are trying to improve themselves. Zuckerberg will not act like he did 5 years ago with his US$500 million," said Trump via his Trump account, quoted from TheVerge, Monday (5 /8/2024).

The US$500 million that Trump mentioned seems wrong. This refers to the donation that Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan made to Joe Biden during the 2020 election. The correct value is US$400 million.

At that time, Zuckerberg and his wife did not donate directly to Biden, but rather to two non-profit organizations that provide grants to state and local governments to help them finance the administration of the 2020 election.

Furthermore, Trump praised Zuckerberg for praising his reaction when he was shot. For this reason, Zuckerberg promised not to support Democrats in this year's elections because of his respect for Trump.

"He [Zuckerberg] called me after the shooting incident. He said I was very brave. Then he promised not to support Democrats because he respected what I did that day [of the shooting]," Trump explained.

When asked for confirmation, Meta spokesperson Dani Lever provided a reference in X by Meta Communications Head Andy Stone. In the post, it was stated that Zuckerberg had not supported any candidate in the election.

Donald Trump Ditelpon CEO Facebook Berkali-kali, Isinya Tak Terduga

Foto: Calon presiden dari Partai Republik dan mantan Presiden AS Donald Trump mengacungkan tinjunya pada Hari 1 Konvensi Nasional Partai Republik (RNC) di Fiserv Forum di Milwaukee, Wisconsin, AS, 15 Juli 2024. (REUTERS/Andrew Kelly)

HOLIDAY NEWS - Donald Trump blak-blakan mendapat telpon berkali-kali dari CEO Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) Mark Zuckerberg. Hal ini cukup mengejutkan, sebab Zuckerberg selama ini dikenal sebagai sosok yang vokal menentang kandidat presiden asal Republik tersebut.

Dalam interview bersama Fox, Trump mengatakan belakangan ini kerap menerima telpon berisi permintaan maaf dari Zuckerbeg. Pasalnya, sistem Meta AI sempat menyatakan upaya pembunuhan Trump tak terjadi.

Trump sempat murak di Truth Social, yakni platform miliknya sendiri. Ia mengatakan Meta dan Google melakukan kecurangan epmilu dengan membungkam informasi terkait penembakannya.

Permintaan maaf Zuckerberg agaknya melunakkan ketegangan antara dirinya dan Trump. Selama ini, Trump kerap menyndir Meta dan para petingginya.

"Saya percaya dengan Zuckerberg. Ia menelpon saya berkali-kali. Mereka [Meta] berupaya memperbaiki diri. Zuckerberg tak akan bertindak seperti 5 tahun lalu dengan uang US$500 juta miliknya," kata Trump melalui akun Trump, dikutip dari TheVerge, Senin (5/8/2024).

Uang US$500 juta yang disebut Trump sepertinya keliru. Hal itu merujuk pada donasi yang diberikan Zuckerberg dan istrinya Priscilla Chan untuk Joe Biden pada pemilu 2020 lalu. Nilainya yang benar adalah US$400 juta.

Zuckerberg dan istrinya kala itu tak mendonasikannya langsung ke Biden, melainkan dua organisasi nonprofit yang memberikan hibah kepada pemerintah negara bagian dan lokal untuk membantu mereka membiayai administrasi pemilu 2020.

Lebih lanjut, Trump mengumbar Zuckerberg memuji reaksinya ketika ditembak. Untuk itu, Zuckerberg berjanji tak akan mendukung Demokrat pada pemilu tahun ini karena rasa hormatnya pada Trump.

"Dia [Zuckerberg] menelpon saya setelah insiden penembakan. Ia mengatakan saya sangat berani. Lalu dia berjanji tak akan mendukung Demokrat karena ia menghormati apa yang saya lakukan pada hari itu [penembakan]," Trump menjelaskan.

Ketika diminta konfirmasi, juru bicara Meta Dani Lever memberikan rujukan di X oleh Communications Head Meta Andy Stone. Dalam postingan itu, disebutkan Zuckerberg belum mendukung kandidat manapun dalam pemilu.