In a noteworthy realignment of its corporate strategy, Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has discontinued its fact-checking program and decided to phase out its internal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

These moves prompted significant reactions from various political and social corners, notably drawing criticism from the Biden administration.

According to an internal memo, Meta’s decision to eliminate its DEI programs was influenced by a 'shifting legal and political landscape.' Historically, Meta's diversity efforts involved initiatives like supplier diversity criteria and representation goals, which the company currently regards as potentially misleading, being suggestive of ethnicity or gender-based decision making.

Despite the disbanding of formal programs, Meta asserted it would maintain its commitment to diverse hiring practices.

Maxine Williams, who formerly held the position of Chief Diversity Officer, will transition to a new role to focus on accessibility and engagement, reflecting a broader corporate trend across the United States.

Many companies have been reassessing their diversity programs which gained prominence in light of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. Although these initiatives have been backed in various quarters, they have also faced staunch opposition from conservative critics who perceive them as divisive.

In a parallel development, Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has publicly accused President Joe Biden’s team of seeking censorship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a detailed three-hour discussion with podcaster Joe Rogan, Zuckerberg accused Biden officials of pressuring Meta to remove posts they found controversial, characterizing these engagements as aggressive.

While President Biden previously faulted social media platforms for spreading misinformation, he later retracted specific phrasing around this subject.

Coinciding with these revelations, some interpret Meta's actions as aligning the company more closely with Republican interests.

Efforts to build political capital are underscored by substantial corporate donations, such as a million-dollar pledge to former President Donald Trump’s inauguration, and significant board appointments including Republican affiliates like UFC president Dana White.

The discontinuation of fact-checking initiatives has been particularly contentious.

President Biden condemned Meta's decision as 'shameful' and counter to American values during a recent press conference, stressing the necessity of upholding truth and accuracy in public discourse.

As these developments progress, Mark Zuckerberg's recent visit to former President Donald Trump's estate at Mar-a-Lago hints at the potential redefinition of Meta’s interaction with the US political framework.