Former President Donald Trump has escalated his ongoing feud with Mark Zuckerberg by threatening to imprison "election fraudsters" if he is elected.
Business Insider reported that in a recent post on Truth Social, Trump mentioned Zuckerberg directly and vowed to imprison those committing election fraud if he secures the presidency in November.
The conflict between Trump and Zuckerberg began during Trump's presidency with frequent accusations of election interference.
In June 2020, Zuckerberg expressed that he was "deeply shaken and disgusted" by Trump's rhetoric, further intensifying their strained relationship.
Trump's frustrations grew after the 2020 election. In February 2023, he claimed on Truth Social that Zuckerberg "cheated in the 2020 election" and questioned why Zuckerberg wasn’t being prosecuted. Trump added, "The Democrats only know how to cheat. America isn't going to take it much longer!"
Further fueling his allegations, Trump linked to a Fox News report involving a $2 million donation from a Zuckerberg-affiliated group to a Georgia election board, which he considered questionable.
On Tuesday, Trump turned to Truth Social again, asserting that if he is elected, he will target "election fraudsters" like Zuckerberg. He wrote, "They have no shame! All I can say is that if I'm elected President, we will pursue Election Fraudsters at levels never seen before, and they will be sent to prison for long periods of time."
Trump also referenced the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act) in his post. This legislation would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. He directed his warning towards Zuckerberg, cautioning, "We already know who you are. DON'T DO IT! ZUCKERBUCKS, be careful!"
Trump’s allegations reflect his broader narrative accusing Democrats of election cheating. He has consistently made claims about election integrity, causing widespread debate and controversy.
The tumultuous relationship saw a significant development after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Facebook, citing risks, banned Trump from the platform. Zuckerberg stated at the time, "The risks of allowing the President to continue to use our service during this period are simply too great."
In early 2023, Meta lifted the ban on Trump. Following the ban lift, Trump's remarks at a rally further demonstrated his disdain for Zuckerberg.
At the rally, Trump recounted a dinner with Zuckerberg, saying, "Last week, the weirdo — he's a weirdo — Mark Zuckerberg came to the White House, kissed my ass all night."
He impersonated Zuckerberg, continuing, "'Sir, I'd love to have dinner, sir. I'd love to have dinner. I'd love to bring my lovely wife.'" Despite the claim, Trump had not been in office since January 2021, causing confusion among listeners.
Amid these accusations and threats, Trump is currently leading Joe Biden in numerous national and battleground-state polls.
His continued influence and popularity amongst his supporters have kept these election fraud narratives alive.
As the 2024 election approaches, Trump's rhetoric remains fierce, leaving voters and political analysts speculating on the potential consequences of his statements.
Trump's renewed threats against Zuckerberg encompass his ongoing narrative around election integrity and fraud.
These actions highlight the continued tensions between the former president and the social media mogul. With the backdrop of past accusations and current political maneuvers, the conflict is likely to persist as Trump campaigns for the upcoming election.
