Mark Zuckerberg’s 5 wildest and most awkward moments with world leaders, from an ex-employee’s new book

Mark Zuckerberg’s interactions with world leaders have certainly been a subject of intrigue, and now an ex-employee’s new book is shedding light on some of the more wild and awkward moments. These encounters have highlighted Zuckerberg’s sometimes uncomfortable position as a tech mogul engaging with global figures. Here are five of the most notable awkward moments:

1. **The awkward handshake with Angela Merkel**: At a meeting with Germany’s Chancellor, Merkel reportedly seemed uncomfortable during a handshake with Zuckerberg, likely due to the awkwardness of their brief interaction. Merkel, known for being measured and composed, wasn’t thrilled by Zuckerberg’s attempt to move the conversation forward on privacy and data protection.

2. **The heated exchange with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi**: Modi’s interactions with Zuckerberg reportedly became tense when discussions around Facebook’s role in India’s politics and privacy issues heated up. Zuckerberg’s handling of the situation seemed to lack cultural sensitivity, causing some diplomatic discomfort.

3. **Zuckerberg’s “failed” attempt to explain Facebook’s mission to world leaders**: At global summits, Zuckerberg often tried to communicate Facebook’s broader mission of connecting people. But at times, his explanations seemed overly simplistic or out of touch with the concerns of world leaders, leading to awkward moments.

4. **The Zuckerberg-Putin dinner**: A dinner meeting between Zuckerberg and Russian President Vladimir Putin was reportedly strained. Zuckerberg, being a relatively young and idealistic entrepreneur, seemed out of his depth while talking to Putin, who is known for his tough demeanor.

5. **His tense exchange with UK lawmakers**: During a grilling by UK lawmakers about Facebook’s handling of user data and privacy, Zuckerberg was visibly uncomfortable, deflecting questions and offering non-answers. The interaction was widely regarded as a PR disaster, showcasing his difficulty in handling high-pressure situations with political leaders.

These moments show that Zuckerberg, despite his immense success, has faced some challenges in dealing with the high-stakes world of international diplomacy, often stumbling when navigating political complexities.