Mark Zuckerberg defends Meta in pivotal FTC antitrust trial
Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO and a social media pioneer, is no stranger to high-stakes testimony, and this week, he returns to the witness stand in what could be one of the most consequential moments of his career.
As early as Monday, the Meta chief executive will take center stage in the Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust lawsuit, which accuses the company of using a “buy-or-bury strategy” to secure its dominance in social media through the acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.
Zuckerberg’s latest legal battle marks the culmination of his transformation from a hoodie-clad Harvard dropout to one of the most scrutinized executives in Silicon Valley. Since his congressional debut seven years ago—a grueling, lawyer-prepped marathon of hearings—Zuckerberg has appeared before Congress eight times and testified in court at least twice, more than any other tech CEO.
He has defended Meta (formerly Facebook) on issues ranging from data privacy and misinformation to child safety. Legal experts suggest his prior experiences could help him weather the expected seven-hour cross-examination.
“He seems to be much more aware of the audiences he’s speaking to compared to his earlier years,” said Adam Sterling, associate dean at Stanford Law School. “Whether it’s a deposition or a lawsuit or in front of the Senate, he can actually craft the message to the recipients of it.”
The FTC and Meta declined to comment on the upcoming trial. But unlike the time-limited theatrics of Capitol Hill hearings, legal analysts point out that a courtroom trial presents deeper challenges.
FTC lawyers are expected to delve into troves of internal communications, grilling Zuckerberg in detail. “A trial is a different beast since opposing counsel will be well prepared, ask better questions, and stay focused on their case,” said a former Meta policy official, Nu Wexler.
Mark Zuckerberg: From Tech Visionary to Scrutinized Leader
Zuckerberg’s evolution as a public figure has unfolded in full view. In 2010, a fidgety, sweat-drenched Zuckerberg stumbled through a privacy-focused interview. Eight years later, he was hauled before Congress in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, repeating a lawyer-scripted refrain:
“My team will get back to you.” Since then, he’s appeared more composed and calculated, whether addressing questions on cryptocurrency plans, political misinformation, or social media’s effects on children.
“You’re willing to step on anyone — your competitors, women and people of color, even our democracy,” Rep. Maxine Waters once told him. Zuckerberg replied, “I get that I’m not the ideal messenger for this right now… We certainly have work to do to build trust.”
The Meta CEO’s improved polish hasn’t shielded him from harsh criticism. In a 2024 child safety hearing, Sen. Josh Hawley demanded an apology from Zuckerberg to grieving parents in attendance.
“I’m sorry for everything you have all been through,” Zuckerberg said. In an interview afterward, Hawley remarked, “This was my entire goal, to force a moment of truth… But the truth is also that he keeps sailing right on ahead and will do so until there are real consequences from Congress and in the trial next week.”
Despite the regulatory pressures, Meta’s business has remained resilient. Its stock price has more than doubled since Zuckerberg’s first appearance in Congress. Still, with Judge James E. Boasberg now presiding over a case that could reshape the company’s future, the stakes are higher than ever.
As Katie Harbath, a former Meta policy director, put it: “There is a lot more at stake.”
Image: Yann LeCun/Facebook
