The trial outcome could test Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s recent allyship with President Donald Trump|Mark Zuckerberg|Facebook
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stand on Monday to defend his company’s acquisition of rivals Instagram and WhatsApp, arguing the move did not quash competition or cement a social media monopoly.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed an antitrust lawsuit against Meta (then Facebook) in 2020.
The agency claims that Meta’s $1 billion purchase of Instagram in 2012 and $22 billion acquisition of WhatsApp in 2014 were tactical moves to “buy rather than compete,” claiming that Meta was threatened and acted to eliminate rivals.
Meta counters that the FTC approved these deals over a decade ago and argues that the current social media market is competitive, with platforms like TikTok, X, YouTube, and Snapchat gaining dominance.
If the FTC wins, Meta could be forced to spin off Instagram and WhatsApp—threatening its core digital ad business, which pulled in over $160 billion in 2024. The company’s apps clock a massive 3.3 billion daily users.
The trial could test Zuckerberg’s growing political ties with President Donald Trump.
It could also reshape Big Tech oversight. Google and Amazon have antitrust cases in court this year.