Biden Claims Mark Zuckerberg’s Latest Move is ‘Against American Values,’ Fumbles Criticism [WATCH]

Joe Biden criticized Meta on Friday, expressing disapproval of the company’s decision to discontinue its third-party fact-checking program.

Biden described the move as “shameful” and suggested it undermines core American values.

“The whole idea of walking away from facts checking as well as not reporting anything having to do with, uh, um, discrimination regarding TPS, I find to be just contrary to American justice,” Biden said in response to a reporter’s question about Meta’s recent policy change.

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The president’s comments sparked some confusion, particularly his reference to Meta not reporting discrimination “regarding TPS,” which stands for Temporary Protected Status.

The TPS program provides temporary immigration benefits to nationals from certain countries facing ongoing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions.

However, Biden did not elaborate on how Meta’s decision might intersect with TPS issues, leaving observers unclear about his specific concerns.

The White House did not immediately respond to inquiries for clarification.

Biden continued his remarks, emphasizing the importance of truth in public discourse. “Telling the truth matters,” he said. “I don’t know what that’s all about. It’s just completely contrary to everything America’s about.”

The president expressed frustration over the influence of powerful tech executives on public information, stating, “A billionaire can buy something and say, ‘By the way, from this point on, we’re not going to, we’re not going to fact check anything.’”

Biden added that the decision to halt fact-checking is “really shameful,” though he did not directly address Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s rationale for the change.

Biden Claims Zuckerberg’s Latest Move is ‘Against American Values,’ Fumbles Criticism…

Joe Biden criticized Meta on Friday, expressing disapproval of the company’s decision to discontinue its third-party fact-checking program.

Biden described the move as “shameful” and… pic.twitter.com/CUXqVr6n3x

— RVM News (@redvoicenews) January 11, 2025

Earlier this week, Zuckerberg announced that Meta would replace its third-party fact-checking system with a community-driven model similar to the “Community Notes” feature on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Mark Zuckerberg To Replace ‘Fact-Checkers’ with X-Style ‘Community Notes’ and More…

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced significant changes to content policies on Facebook and Instagram, signaling a shift toward prioritizing free expression.

In a comprehensive statement,… pic.twitter.com/lzsPxVgjNL

— RVM News (@redvoicenews) January 7, 2025

The change will affect platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

Zuckerberg described the new approach as a step toward “restoring free expression” and “reducing mistakes” associated with previous fact-checking efforts. He argued that a community-driven model would strike a better balance between accuracy and freedom of speech.

Hours before Biden’s remarks, Zuckerberg appeared on the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, where he criticized the Biden administration for pressuring Meta to censor content during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He claimed government officials contacted Meta executives to demand the removal of posts critical of the coronavirus vaccine, often using aggressive tactics.

“It was brutal,” Zuckerberg said, adding, “The US government should be defending its companies, not be at the tip of the spear attacking its companies.”

Zuckerberg Tells Rogan: Biden Officials ‘Screamed and Cursed’ Over Satire Posts…

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed during an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan that members of President Biden’s administration pressured his company to remove content they deemed problematic,… pic.twitter.com/OfMUdZB9wB

— RVM News (@redvoicenews) January 10, 2025

Zuckerberg also alleged that the administration’s demands were both excessive and counterproductive, stating that such actions undermined the principle of free expression.

Meta’s decision to shift away from third-party fact-checking comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over the role of social media platforms in shaping public discourse.

Critics argue that the change could lead to a surge in misinformation, while others see it as a step toward protecting free speech from overreach.

Meta has not issued a direct response to Biden’s remarks or addressed the controversy surrounding its new policy.

Similarly, the White House has yet to clarify Biden’s specific concerns regarding Meta’s decision and its potential impact on American society.

The debate underscores ongoing tensions between government officials and tech companies over the balance between content moderation, free speech, and corporate accountability.

As both sides continue to clash, the future of how information is regulated on major platforms remains uncertain.

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