Meta has announced the appointment of three new members to its board of directors: Dana White, the president and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC); John Elkann, the CEO of the European investment firm Exor; and Charlie Songhurst, a former Microsoft executive. These new appointees bring a wealth of expertise and perspectives, which will help Meta address the significant opportunities in artificial intelligence, wearables, and human connection technologies.

Dana White's appointment is particularly noteworthy due to his close relationship with US President-elect Donald Trump. White has been a vocal supporter of Trump and has participated in various high-profile events with him. Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has also been working to mend ties with Trump ahead of his inauguration this month. The relationship between the two was strained in the past, especially after Trump was banned from Facebook and Instagram following the US Capitol riot in January 2021.

The new appointees will join Meta's existing board members, which include Zuckerberg, Marc Andreessen, and Tony Xu. The expanded board will provide strategic guidance and oversight as Meta continues to innovate and shape the future of social media, artificial intelligence, and wearable technologies. White, Elkann, and Songhurst will contribute their unique perspectives and expertise, helping Meta navigate the complex and rapidly evolving tech landscape.

In a statement, Zuckerberg praised the new board members, stating that they will add significant expertise and perspectives to help Meta tackle the vast opportunities ahead. The appointments of White, Elkann, and Songhurst mark an exciting new chapter for the company as they play a crucial role in shaping Meta's future direction and strategy.