In a significant move for both the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and the tech industry, Dana White, the president of UFC, has been appointed to the board of Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram.
White’s appointment comes just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office, marking a pivotal shift in the relationship between Silicon Valley and the new administration. This transition follows a history of tension, as tech platforms like Meta have faced criticism from Trump and his supporters for alleged anti-conservative bias.
High-profile tech leaders, including Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg, have made substantial contributions to Trump’s inauguration fund, each donating $1 million. Zuckerberg has fostered connections with the president-elect, hosting several dinners at Mar-a-Lago following the election. Recently, Meta appointed Joel Kaplan, a former White House official under George W. Bush, as its head of global policy.
Dana White and Donald Trump share a long-standing friendship, with White actively supporting Trump during his campaign. He made headlines during the Republican National Convention this summer and participated in Trump’s first social media video post-election. White joined Trump on stage during the victory celebration, acknowledging the impact of podcasters and influencers in enhancing Trump’s appeal among younger demographics.
White, who has expressed an interest in the intersection of social media and sports, noted, “I’ve never been interested in joining a board of directors until I got the offer to join Meta’s board. I am a huge believer that social media and AI are the future.” He also discussed leveraging artificial intelligence to optimize UFC rankings with Zuckerberg, signaling exciting developments ahead for the organization.
In addition to White, Meta has appointed two other directors: John Elkann, CEO of the European investment firm Ekon and executive chairman of both Stellantis and Ferrari, and Charlie Songhurst, a tech investor with a history at Microsoft, who has been advising Meta on AI. These new appointments expand Meta’s board from 10 to 13 members, reinforcing its commitment to innovation in fields such as AI, wearables, and the evolution of social media.
Zuckerberg remarked on the expansion, stating, “We have massive opportunities ahead in AI, wearables, and the future of social media, and our board will help us achieve our vision.” This strategic board enhancement appears poised to navigate the complexities of the tech landscape and further Meta’s growth trajectory.
