Jesse Eisenberg denounces Zuckerberg over Meta’s controversial changes

Jesse Eisenberg’s role as Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network made him a household name, earning him an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the Facebook founder. However, Eisenberg’s admiration for the character ended with the credits. Recently, he made it clear that he no longer wishes to be associated with Zuckerberg, citing the real-life actions of the Meta CEO as problematic. “It’s like this guy is doing things that are problematic, taking away fact-checking,” Eisenberg stated in an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today program. The actor’s frustration is not just based on the shift in Meta’s internal policy but the broader implications of Zuckerberg's decisions, which Eisenberg feels are contributing to a more dangerous, less accountable online world.

Meta’s recent announcement to scrap independent fact-checkers across Facebook and Instagram has been met with mixed reactions, and Eisenberg is among the loudest critics. Instead of relying on third-party fact-checking organizations, Meta now plans to implement a system known as "community notes." In this new model, users can flag content and challenge the accuracy of posts themselves, in a move similar to the system used by X (formerly Twitter). Zuckerberg defended the policy shift as a return to the platform’s roots, championing free speech and alleging that third-party moderators were “too politically biased.” But critics, including Eisenberg, fear the consequences of giving users more power over truth, particularly when misinformation could go unchecked. Eisenberg’s concerns are clear: removing fact-checkers in favor of crowd-sourced judgment could leave vulnerable communities exposed to further harm.

The timing of Meta’s decision is also noteworthy. The policy shift comes after increasing political pressure, including criticism from right-wing figures such as Donald Trump, who claimed that fact-checking policies were silencing conservative voices. Trump’s praise for Zuckerberg’s changes speaks volumes about the political landscape in which these decisions are made. Eisenberg, however, sees the move as a strategic, politically motivated one, where billionaires like Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos may be prioritizing political alignment over societal well-being. “They’re doing it to curry favor with somebody who’s preaching hate,” Eisenberg remarked. His words reflect a broader concern: that corporate giants are leveraging their immense wealth and influence to forge alliances with powerful political figures, regardless of the social and ethical consequences.

Eisenberg’s critique of Zuckerberg and Meta goes beyond just a professional disagreement—it’s deeply personal. The actor spoke candidly about how these tech decisions are not only politically charged but also have real-world repercussions for everyday people. “These people have billions upon billions of dollars... and what are they doing with it? They’re doing it to curry favor with somebody who’s preaching hate.” Eisenberg, whose wife teaches disability justice in New York, added, "My students are going to get a little harder this year." His message is clear: decisions made by tech billionaires impact the most vulnerable in society. The actor is particularly concerned about the impact Meta’s moves will have on marginalized groups, whose voices are already at risk of being silenced by misinformation and hate speech online.