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In March 2025, Zuckerberg’s $450M offer to settle the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) landmark antitrust case made headlines—but went nowhere.
The offer was meant to end legal challenges to Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, which the FTC argues were intended to eliminate competition.
But FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson flatly rejected the proposal, holding out for at least $18 billion and a structural breakup of Meta’s business.
Takeaway: The FTC isn’t just after money—it wants to break up Meta’s dominance.
Lina Khan’s Take: “Delusional” Doesn’t Even Cover It
Former FTC Chair Lina Khan didn’t hold back. She called Zuckerberg’s $450M offer “delusional,” arguing that Meta’s attempt to pay a fraction of its profits was part of the very monopolistic behavior under fire.
Her point: Meta wants to “pay to play”—buy its way out of the very laws it’s accused of breaking.
Takeaway: The FTC wants accountability, not just a check.
Politics in the Mix: The Trump Equation
While legal negotiations unfolded, Zuckerberg’s $450M offer wasn’t the only play being made. Behind the scenes, Meta ramped up a political charm campaign aimed squarely at Donald Trump and key Republicans.
What did that include?
- A $1 million donation to Trump’s inaugural committee
- A $25 million payout to settle a lawsuit tied to Trump’s Facebook suspension
- Two visits to Mar-a-Lago
- GOP-aligned staff hired to shape messaging and legal strategy
Despite those efforts, support from Trump-world remains mixed. Many still blame Facebook for “censoring” conservatives in 2020—and aren’t ready to let it go.
Takeaway: Meta is playing politics, but Trump’s camp isn’t playing ball (yet).
Why the Antitrust Case Still Matters
This case isn’t just about Meta—it’s a test of how far the government will go to rein in Big Tech. The FTC argues that Meta bought competition instead of beating it, and that doing so harmed innovation, competition, and the public discourse.
Zuckerberg’s $450M offer aimed to close the door on this fight quietly. But regulators want a bigger win: a breakup of Instagram and WhatsApp and limits on future acquisitions.
Takeaway: If the FTC wins, it won’t just change Meta—it could change Silicon Valley.
Final Analysis
Zuckerberg’s $450M offer might’ve looked like a big number—but it was nowhere near enough for regulators trying to curb tech monopolies.
The FTC’s message is clear: paying your way out of accountability isn’t an option anymore. Whether the courts agree could reshape how every tech giant—from Meta to Amazon—does business.
Takeaway: This case is a showdown between Big Tech money and government power. And it’s far from over.
