Jesse Eisenberg, renowned for his portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg in the 2010 film The Social Network, has recently expressed a desire to distance himself from the Meta CEO due to concerns over Zuckerberg’s actions and policies. In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today program, Eisenberg stated, “I don’t want to think of myself as associated with somebody like that.”
Eisenberg’s apprehension centers on Meta’s recent decision to replace independent fact-checkers on Facebook and Instagram with a user-driven system known as “community notes.” This change allows users to comment on the accuracy of posts, a move Zuckerberg claims is aimed at promoting free expression and reducing political bias. However, Eisenberg criticizes this shift, expressing concern that it could exacerbate threats to already vulnerable populations. He remarked, “It’s like this guy is… doing things that are problematic, taking away fact-checking. [There are] safety concerns. Making people who are already threatened in the world more threatened.”
The timing of Meta’s policy change coincided with efforts by Zuckerberg and other tech executives to improve relations with U.S. President Donald Trump, who, along with his allies, had previously criticized Meta’s fact-checking policies as censoring right-wing voices. Following the announcement, Trump praised Zuckerberg’s decision, stating that Meta had “come a long way.”
Eisenberg’s disassociation from Zuckerberg is rooted in his personal values and concerns over the influence of wealthy tech executives on public discourse and politics. He emphasized that his perspective is not merely as an actor who once portrayed Zuckerberg but as an individual troubled by the broader implications of such corporate decisions. Reflecting on the immense wealth and power held by figures like Zuckerberg, Eisenberg questioned their actions, stating, “These people have billions upon billions of dollars, like more money than any human person has ever amassed and what are they doing with it? Oh, they’re doing it to curry favour with somebody who’s preaching hate.”
This sentiment is further influenced by Eisenberg’s personal life, particularly his marriage to Anna Strout, who teaches disability justice in New York. He expressed concern that policy changes like those implemented by Meta could make life more challenging for marginalized communities, stating, “I think of it as somebody who is married to a woman who teaches disability justice in New York and lives for her students are going to get a little harder this year.”
Eisenberg’s comments highlight a growing unease among public figures regarding the actions of tech giants and their leaders. His decision to distance himself from Zuckerberg underscores the ethical considerations and societal impacts of corporate policies, especially those affecting information dissemination and vulnerable populations.
