The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), the philanthropic enterprise established by Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Dr Priscilla Chan, is reportedly moving away from political engagement following criticism from right-wing figures and mounting internal unease among progressive staff. Founded in 2015, the CZI initially balanced social and scientific ambitions, but has recently rebranded itself as a “science-first” organisation. This reorientation has included the termination of diversity programmes, housing support, and funding for marginalised researchers.
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A key turning point came after repeated clashes with US politics. The couple reportedly grew disillusioned following backlash from former President Donald Trump and his allies over their $400 million donation to election infrastructure during the 2020 race, an effort derided by critics as “Zuckerbucks.” Trump, now seeking re-election, has publicly threatened Zuckerberg with imprisonment if he intervenes in the 2024 campaign. Internal tensions also emerged post-2020, as liberal staff reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over CZI’s stance during the racial justice protests.
In June, Dr Chan reiterated the Initiative’s renewed commitment to medical research, citing her experiences treating children with rare diseases as motivation. In a public blog post, she emphasised the importance of expanding scientific knowledge for families with few treatment options. The charity has significantly scaled back its grants – awarding £266 million last year, less than half of its typical annual figure – and has shut down a school established by Chan to serve low-income pupils.
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The retreat from politically sensitive programmes coincides with broader legal and cultural shifts in the United States. Recent decisions from the US Supreme Court have dismantled race-based university admissions, while former President Trump has targeted DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives across sectors. Meta, the tech firm owned by Zuckerberg, has also taken steps seemingly aimed at currying favour with the current Republican administration, including disbanding fact-checking teams, inviting Trump associate Dana White onto its board, and attending official White House functions.
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