META has introduced the appointment of three new board members, together with Dana White, chief govt of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and an in depth ally of Donald Trump.
It comes as Meta's chief govt, Mark Zuckerberg, makes efforts to restore relations with Trump forward of the US president-elect's inauguration this month.
Just a few days in the past, former Deputy Prime Minister of Britain and Liberal Democrat chief Sir Nick Clegg leaves his job as president of world affairs on the social media large,
Other new members of Meta's board embrace John Elkann, who leads European funding agency Exor, and former Microsoft govt Charlie Songhurst.
“Dana, John and Charlie will add a depth of expertise and perspective that will help us tackle the big opportunities ahead [artificial intelligence]Wearables and the future of human connection,” Mr. Zuckerberg stated in an announcement.
The social media large additionally praised Mr White's position in turning the UFC into a worldwide enterprise.
In a publish on Meta's Instagram, Mr White stated he beloved social media and was “excited to be a small part of the future.” [artificial intelligence] and rising applied sciences.”
Mr White has previously rejected any suggestion that the UFC platforms hate speech, insisting he supports free speech.
A year ago his tense conversation with a reporter went viral, questioning why he allowed fighters to make anti-LGBT comments.
Mr. White responded, “People can say no matter they need and imagine no matter they need.”
UFC boss has one close ties With Trump for decades.
Mr White's appointment follows the news that Sir Nick is being replaced at Meta by his deputy, prominent Republican Joel Kaplan, who has handled relations between the social media firm and the Republican Party.
There has been an apparent thaw between Meta and Trump in recent months.
Relations deteriorated after Trump was banned from Facebook and Instagram following the US Capitol riot in January 2021.
In August, Trump wrote in a book that Mr Zuckerberg would “spend the remainder of his life in jail” if he attempted to interfere in the 2024 US election.
But the president-elect later softened his position, saying in a podcast in October that it was “good” that Mr. Zuckerberg was “staying out of the election,” and in a personal phone call after facing an assassination attempt. Thanked him for it.
Mr. Zuckerberg visits Mar-a-Lago and had dinner with trump Following his election victory in November. Earlier this month, he Donated $1 million (£800,000) to fund the inauguration of the newly elected President.
With inputs from BBC
