Today, we're diving into a fascinating development in Meta's ongoing antitrust trial, which raises questions about the intersection of tech and politics. Amidst accusations of violating competition laws related to its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, reports have emerged suggesting that CEO Mark Zuckerberg believed President Trump could help smooth over these legal troubles.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Zuckerberg initially proposed a settlement of $450 million, but the FTC stood firm, demanding much more—up to $30 billion, with Chairman Andrew Ferguson seeking at least $18 billion. Sources reveal that Zuckerberg was confident Trump would back him, partly due to Meta’s $1 million donation to Trump’s inauguration and a prior $25 million settlement with him.

Testifying recently, Zuckerberg raised his offer to $1 billion before the trial commenced, yet it still fell short. He faced tough questions about his 2012 Instagram acquisition, especially a 2018 memo he wrote acknowledging the chance of having to sell off Instagram and WhatsApp due to antitrust concerns.

As Zuck continues his testimony, we see the intricate ties between tech leaders and politics, raising eyebrows about the ethics of intervention in legal matters. The trial is expected to last eight weeks, and as tensions rise, it's clear that the landscape remains highly unpredictable. Stay tuned as this story unfolds!
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