Mark Zuckerberg’s Fourth of July Video Goes Viral
As Fourth of July celebrations kicked off across the nation, Mark Zuckerberg made waves with a video posted on his Instagram account that quickly garnered hundreds of thousands of views. The clip, seemingly tailor-made for viral success, featured the Meta CEO wakeboarding behind a fast-moving boat while sporting a tuxedo, sunglasses, and sipping from a tall boy, all set to the tune of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.”
The video, which showcased Zuckerberg’s surf skills, drew praise from various quarters. Lauren Sánchez, Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, commented, “Amazing!” while gaming influencer @StoneMountain64 exclaimed, “Now that’s content.” Zuckerberg himself responded, “Just doing my part.”
For those closely following Zuckerberg’s image transformation, the video was seen as another step in his rebranding efforts. In recent years, the tech mogul has shifted from his signature flip-flops and hoodies to a more polished, Richard Bransonesque style, complete with designer T-shirts, a silver chain, and an interest in mixed martial arts.
This latest Fourth of July video was a follow-up to previous patriotic posts by Zuckerberg, including one from 2021 featuring him on a hydrofoil with an American flag and another from the year before showing him grilling sausages in an American flag cowboy hat. Despite his massive wealth (approximately $181 billion according to Bloomberg), Zuckerberg’s attempts to connect with the American public through these posts have largely been well-received.
While the response to this year’s video was mostly positive, some online observers noted a misstep in the choice of “Born in the U.S.A.” as the soundtrack, pointing out the song’s deeper themes of post-war struggles and disillusionment. Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, praised the video with a patriotic “’MERICA!!!!!” while Elon Musk, Zuckerberg’s tech rival, took a more work-focused approach, commenting, “May he continue to have fun on his yachts. I prefer to work.”
As Zuckerberg continues to navigate his public image, one thing is clear: his Fourth of July posts are becoming an annual tradition that keeps his followers entertained and engaged.
