Meta announced on Thursday that it had terminated around 20 employees for leaking confidential company information, as the tech giant faces growing scrutiny over CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s perceived political alignment with U.S. President Donald Trump.
A Meta spokesperson confirmed the development, stating, “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.” The company also warned that additional terminations could follow as investigations continue.
The dismissals come after a series of reports, including one from The Verge, detailing Zuckerberg’s meetings with employees. In a leaked discussion, Zuckerberg expressed frustration over repeated leaks, stating, “We try to be really open, and then everything I say leaks. It sucks.”
The reports also suggest that Meta is positioning itself closer to the Republican leadership. Since Trump’s return to office, Zuckerberg has taken steps such as easing content moderation, dissolving Facebook’s U.S. fact-checking program, and appointing Trump ally Dana White to Meta’s board.
Zuckerberg has also been seen dining with Trump and has donated to the president’s inauguration fund. His political affairs team has undergone significant changes, with a Republican now leading the department.
The shift aligns with broader trends in the tech industry, where influential figures, including Elon Musk, have embraced conservative ideologies. In a conversation on The Joe Rogan Experience, Zuckerberg discussed corporate culture, arguing that embracing masculinity “is good.”
Meta’s crackdown on leaks underscores the company’s efforts to control its internal narrative as it navigates a politically charged landscape.
