The conversation got even more interesting when Zuckerberg threw the Biden administration under the bus, revealing that they pressured his company to censor true information—and even memes—about vaccine safety.

“They pushed us super hard to take down things that were honestly… pic.twitter.com/zJOJaCDH8n

— The Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) January 10, 2025

Mark Zuckerberg’s recent appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast has sent shockwaves through the tech and political worlds, as the Meta CEO unleashed a scathing critique of the Biden administration’s attempts to control content on social media platforms123.
During the nearly three-hour conversation, Zuckerberg revealed that Biden administration officials would “scream” and “curse” at Meta employees, pressuring them to remove specific content related to COVID-19 and vaccines13. The Meta CEO described the interactions as “brutal,” painting a picture of an administration overstepping its bounds in its quest to control the narrative around the pandemic.

Censorship Pressure

Zuckerberg’s most explosive claim was that the administration pushed Meta to censor factual information about vaccine safety2. “They pushed us super hard to take down things that were honestly, true,” Zuckerberg stated2. He went on to explain that the administration wanted Meta to remove any content suggesting vaccines might have side effects, a request that Zuckerberg firmly rejected. The censorship attempts weren’t limited to scientific discussions. Zuckerberg disclosed that the administration even targeted memes and satire15. He recounted an instance where officials demanded the removal of a meme featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, which humorously speculated about potential future lawsuits related to vaccine side effects.

Shifting Stance

This revelation marks a significant shift in Zuckerberg’s public stance. During the height of the pandemic, Facebook (now Meta) had implemented policies to remove false claims about COVID-19 vaccines4. However, Zuckerberg now admits that he initially deferred too much to government and public health authorities, a decision he seems to regret5.

The Meta CEO’s appearance on Rogan’s podcast, coupled with recent changes at Meta, suggests a pivot towards a more right-leaning position5. This shift comes as Zuckerberg appears to be aligning himself with the incoming Trump administration, following Trump’s 2024 election victory.

As the tech world continues to grapple with issues of free speech and content moderation, Zuckerberg’s revelations have reignited debates about the role of government in regulating online discourse. With the Biden administration set to leave office in just ten days, these allegations are likely to cast a long shadow over discussions about social media’s influence on public opinion and the delicate balance between combating misinformation and protecting free speech.