Meta Faces Antitrust Trial Amidst Zuckerberg's Lobbying Efforts with Trump

Meta Platforms is preparing for a significant antitrust trial on April 14, 2025, where the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is challenging its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. The FTC alleges that Meta strategically acquired these platforms to stifle competition and maintain a monopoly in the social networking space. According to reports, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been actively lobbying President Donald Trump and White House officials, seeking a settlement to avoid the trial. Zuckerberg has reportedly visited the White House multiple times since Trump's inauguration. Some White House aides are allegedly frustrated with Meta's aggressive lobbying efforts. The FTC's case, initiated during the Trump administration, argues that Meta's acquisitions of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 were anti-competitive moves. The agency aims to potentially force Meta to divest these assets. FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson has stated the agency is fully prepared for the trial. He has emphasized the FTC's commitment to vigorously enforcing antitrust laws and scrutinizing Big Tech companies for anti-competitive behavior that harms consumers and innovation. Meta defends its acquisitions, arguing that they have benefited consumers and that the company faces strong competition from platforms like TikTok, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn. A Meta spokesperson stated that the trial will demonstrate that the acquisitions were "good" for consumers. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for the tech industry and future regulatory actions against monopolistic practices.