Mark Zuckerberg, future president of the United States?
While embarking on an American tour, the founder and CEO of Facebook sows clues about his possible ambitions in politics.
Mark Zuckerberg weeds a garden, chats with the police, attends a rodeo, hugs a woman, strokes a calf. Under the eyes of a professional photographer, the CEO of Facebook embarked on a nationwide tour on Monday to meet the people of the United States. The first step took place Monday, in Texas, and was widely documented on his Facebook account. On the part of a politician, such a communication operation would be trivial. But for Mark Zuckerberg, this is a change of tone.
Until a few years ago, the CEO of Facebook was uncomfortable with goals. Difficult for him to leave the image of the genius but lonely geek. Mark Zuckerberg hardly smiled, rarely took off his pool sliders and his computer. Nothing to do with the man who poses today with Texan cowboys. Mark Zuckerberg has hired several photographers to document his tours and a dozen people who are specially responsible for monitoring comments posted on his personal page.
This development has not escaped the notice of observers. For several months, the American media have been considering the possibility, not so crazy since the election of Donald Trump, that Mark Zuckerberg could dream of himself as President of the United States. "Is Mark Zuckerberg eyeing the White House?" asks Newsweek. "Is Mark Zuckerberg our next president?" Vanity Fair wonders, a little further ahead. All agree at least that, at a minimum, "Mark Zuckerberg is behaving like someone who could run for president," as the headline of Wired magazine.
Mark Zuckerberg's American tour is the last clue in a long list. Every year, the CEO of Facebook sets himself a personal challenge. He learned Chinese, read 25 books in a year, built an artificial intelligence for his house, and started running. In 2017, Mark Zuckerberg chose to focus on others rather than himself.
A found faith
Some clues are even more concrete. In April 2016, Facebook forwarded a document to US financial authorities formalizing the possibility that Mark Zuckerberg could take a role in government without losing control of his business. Thus sparing himself the possible inconvenience faced today by Donald Trump, himself CEO and in full transition. Mark Zuckerberg was also absent from the meeting which brought together the future president of the United States and the main leaders of Silicon Valley, preferring to send his number 2, Sheryl Sandberg. To better mark your difference with your peers?
Among the other signs noted by the American press, David Plouffe, former head of the presidential campaign of Barack Obama in 2008, joined the charity organization of Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, his wife. Finally, the CEO of Facebook said in December that religion "is very important." An indispensable faith for those who want to run for politics in the United States, whose national motto is "In God We Trust" ("In God We Believe").
Mark Zuckerberg is already behaving, in a sense, like a head of state. It rules on a platform with more users than any country in the world. Facebook, the social network, now has more than 1.8 billion users. Facebook, the company, employs almost 16,000 people, who sometimes describe themselves as part of a big family. As part of his activities, Mark Zuckerberg has met with presidents, ministers and princes. He has spoken in political debates, for example in favor of reforming immigration rules, and has participated in demonstrations to show his official support for a cause, such as Gay Pride.
A fan of the Civilization video game
This commitment is minimal for the moment and in its own interest. Immigration is a crucial subject for new technology companies, which recruit a lot from abroad. And LGBT rights are traditionally defended by Silicon Valley. Mark Zuckerberg has never expressed a personal opinion on major social issues, preferring to lock himself in a neutrality typical of his peers. Nevertheless, the CEO of Facebook is making efforts to open up to the world outside the scope of its products. He doesn't just pose with employees, partners or users, as the big names in Silicon Valley typically do. He shows his desire to leave his comfort zone and meet other people.
In terms of wealth or reputation, Mark Zuckerberg does not need to be President of the United States. He might still want to. “He wants something bigger. That would give him more impact and influence on the world, "said Nick Bilton, reporter at Vanity Fair, citing several anonymous relatives of the leader of Facebook. According to him, Mark Zuckerberg is a fan of the Civilization strategy video game, and would like to “get to grips with reality” rather than virtual. Above all, the CEO of Facebook could highlight his experience to prepare his country for the digital upheavals. In his announcement for his American tour, Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged that "technology and globalization have made life difficult for many people". Behind those words, there may be more than an opportunity to take some pretty pictures.
