Reports of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg allegedly being asked to leave an Oval Office meeting on the F-47 fighter jet program due to security clearance issues have stirred controversy, but the White House has denied the incident unfolded that way.
According to an NBC News report citing two sources familiar with the matter, Zuckerberg entered the Oval Office during a classified briefing in March and was told to wait outside by staff over security concerns. Referred to by some as ‘MAGA Mark’, Zuckerberg reportedly lingered before being asked to step out.
However, a senior White House official rejected the account, stating the reports had “mischaracterised” the event. “He was not asked to leave. He came in, greeted the President, and then stepped out to wait for his scheduled meeting with POTUS, which was set to happen after the session with the pilots,” the official told the New York Post.
Meta has not issued a comment or clarification on the incident.
Zuckerberg’s Growing Ties with Trump and the Conservative Base
Though once aligned with Democratic leaders and pro-immigration policies, Mark Zuckerberg has in recent years shifted toward the conservative camp. He was spotted at Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration in January alongside fellow billionaires Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. Meta later contributed $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund — the first such donation from the tech company.
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Zuckerberg’s evolving political stance includes changes to Meta’s policies that have been welcomed by conservatives. These include the dismantling of Meta’s fact-checking units and appointing UFC President Dana White — a known Trump confidant — to the company’s board.
Once criticized for banning Trump from Facebook and Instagram following the January 6 Capitol riots, Zuckerberg has since worked to rebuild ties with the former president. His admiration for Trump’s response to an assassination attempt — calling it “one of the most badass things I have ever seen” — has only deepened public attention on their alliance.
While the timing of the Oval Office encounter remains unclear, the incident adds another layer to Zuckerberg’s increasing political engagement during Trump’s second term.
