Actor Jesse Eisenberg, best known for portraying Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network (2010), has expressed his desire to distance himself from the Meta CEO.
Speaking to BBC News, Eisenberg criticized Zuckerberg’s recent decision to remove independent fact-checkers from Facebook and Instagram, replacing them with user-driven “community notes.”
“These people have billions upon billions of dollars—more money than any human person has ever amassed—and what are they doing with it? Oh, they’re using it to curry favor with somebody who’s preaching hate,” Eisenberg said.
Meta’s fact-checking changes have been seen as a move to align with former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously criticized the platform’s moderation policies. Trump praised Meta’s decision, stating the company had “come a long way.” This comes as Meta agreed to pay a $25 million settlement following Trump’s lawsuit over his account suspension after the January 6 Capitol riots.
Eisenberg, currently promoting A Real Pain, a comedy-drama he wrote, directed, and starred in, emphasized his concerns beyond Hollywood. The film, inspired by his family’s history, follows two cousins visiting Holocaust sites in Poland. Eisenberg’s screenplay has earned an Oscar nomination, alongside co-star Kieran Culkin.
Reflecting on the film’s message, Eisenberg shared, “I live in a world that feels hedonistic—my life is maybe too easy. Grandchildren of Holocaust survivors should wake up every morning and be grateful they’re alive.”
Despite the film’s heavy themes, he insisted on incorporating humor: “It would be so sanctimonious without any humor in it.”
