The Associated Press (AP) — Meta has appointed three new members to its board of directors, including Dana White, the president and CEO of Ultimate Fighting Championship and a key figure in the orbit of incoming President Donald Trump. The social media company, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is also adding auto tycoon John Elkann and tech investor Charlie Songhurst, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a Facebook post late Monday.
White’s ties with Trump trace back to 2001 when White hosted a UFC event at the Republican’s former casino-hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the Trump Taj Mahal. Over the years, Trump has notably appeared with White at UFC matches, particularly during his 2024 campaign in a bid to engage younger male voters. White reciprocated the relationship by having speaking roles at the 2016, 2020, and 2024 Republican conventions, and he was present on stage at Trump’s election victory celebration in November, addressing the crowd briefly.
“White has steered UFC into becoming one of the most valuable, swiftest growing, and widely embraced sports enterprises globally,” Zuckerberg stated. “I’ve held White in high regard as an entrepreneur due to his prowess in establishing such a revered brand.”
Zuckerberg, who also dabbles in mixed martial arts, reportedly entertained the idea of engaging in a “cage match” with fellow billionaire Elon Musk in 2023, although the bout never materialized.
Elkann, another fresh face on Meta’s board, serves as the CEO of Exor, a renowned investment company based in the Netherlands. Additionally, Elkann chairs two prominent auto companies, Stellantis and Ferrari.
Zuckerberg applauded Elkann’s extensive background in overseeing large-scale global enterprises and highlighted his ability to contribute an international viewpoint to Meta’s board.
Songhurst, the third appointee, formerly held positions at Microsoft and commenced advising Meta on artificial intelligence last year.
These additions to Meta’s board underscore the company’s continuous efforts to diversify its leadership with individuals possessing varied expertise and perspectives.
