Zuckerberg’s Hot Mic Slip to Trump: ‘I Wasn’t Sure How Much AI Spending to Promise in the US’

Zuckerberg Caught on Hot Mic Telling Trump ‘I Wasn’t Sure’ How Much to Promise to Spend on AI in the US

What a difference a year makes! Mark Zuckerberg, the Meta CEO, and former President Donald Trump recently shared a table at a White House dinner, a stark contrast to just a year ago when Trump was threatening Zuckerberg with imprisonment. This time, the atmosphere was much more cordial, with numerous tech CEOs in attendance.

The gathering saw nearly three dozen executives taking turns showering Trump with praise. But it was Zuckerberg’s interaction that truly stood out. At one point, Trump directly asked Zuckerberg about his company’s projected AI spending. Zuckerberg’s reply? “Probably going to be something like, I don’t know, at least $600 billion through [20]28 in the US.” Trump seemed quite pleased, responding, “That’s a lot, thank you Mark, it’s great to have you.”

However, a later hot mic moment between the two offered a revealing glimpse behind the scenes. Zuckerberg turned to Trump, offering an apology: “Sorry, I wasn’t ready… I wasn’t sure what number you wanted to go with.” This exchange, widely shared online, certainly raised eyebrows.

This isn’t an isolated incident. Zuckerberg has spent the past year actively cultivating a relationship with Trump. His efforts include a $1 million donation to Trump’s inauguration, significant changes to Meta’s policies (reportedly including renouncing DEI), and adding a known pro-Trump booster, UFC CEO Dana White, to Meta’s board. He also settled a four-year-old lawsuit with Trump for $25 million and has engaged in several private meetings. All these moves appear to have paid off. Not only is Zuckerberg pledging a colossal sum for AI infrastructure in the US, but the hot mic moment suggests a desire to align that promise with Trump’s expectations.