The White House Helped Zuckerberg and the Google CEO Dodge a Senate Hearing
Vecer | 25.06.2026
In return, the White House supports Senator Chuck Grassley's law to combat online child exploitation, and Grassley agreed that the heads of Instagram and YouTube would testify instead of the CEOs, five sources told Politico.
A Deal with the White House
The chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Republican Chuck Grassley, agreed that the heads of Instagram and YouTube, brands owned by the tech giants, would testify instead of the top executives at the hearing, which is tentatively scheduled for July 28.
In return, the White House supports a package of laws called the James T. Woods Act, which aims to combat online child exploitation. Five sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations, confirmed the information but noted that the witness list is not yet final and could change.
The involvement of the White House, previously unknown, shows how tech giants use their connections with the administration of President Donald Trump, even as they face increased scrutiny from lawmakers and courts over the impact of their platforms on society.
Reactions from Those Involved
"Senator Grassley is not just interested in getting clicks and attention like in past hearings. He is working to ensure that life-saving child protection legislation is actually signed into law," a spokesman for Senator Grassley told Politico.
"The James T. Woods Act, which Grassley and Durbin co-sponsored, is extremely bipartisan and has broad support because it is believed to save children's lives. Senator Grassley is committed to being effective, overseeing tech giants, and passing laws that protect American children."
A Meta spokesman declined to comment. Google said the company "had not been in contact with the White House regarding the hearing, nor requested their intervention."
A White House representative said the administration supports the bipartisan James T. Woods Act because it will strengthen federal laws against online child exploitation, create new crimes related to technology abuse, and revise sentencing guidelines to reflect the severity of the offenses.
Pressure on Child Safety
Grassley previously called on Zuckerberg, Pichai, and the CEOs of TikTok and Snap to testify at a hearing next month, which he called an investigation into whether this is a "moment of truth" for social media like the tobacco industry. The hearing is expected to focus on children's safety online.
This development comes at a time when companies face a series of lawsuits based on product liability laws, similar to those once used by states against cigarette manufacturers.
In March, a jury in California found that Meta and YouTube negligently designed platforms that are addictive and harmful to children, while a jury in New Mexico found Meta responsible for endangering children.
Negotiations and Substitute Witnesses
Meta representatives met with White House staff in late May and early June. In discussions with Senate Committee staff, Meta and Google representatives expressed concern that the hearings would only increase the negative attention arising from recent lawsuits.
After negotiations, the White House agreed to publicly support Grassley's bill on the condition that less prominent executives be allowed to testify. So, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan is to appear in place of Pichai, while Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri will replace Zuckerberg.
The committee also expects testimony from Snap CEO Evan Spiegel and TikTok's US head Adam Presser. Committee members could still use subpoenas to force Zuckerberg and Pichai to appear. Meanwhile, Meta is reportedly trying to arrange for an executive of even lower rank than Mosseri to appear.
Cultivating Ties with the Trump Administration
Congressional committees have previously called tech giants to testify, including on child safety online in 2023. In January 2024, then-Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin and Senator Lindsey Graham jointly forced the CEOs to appear at a hearing where Zuckerberg stood and apologized to families of children harmed by social media.
Since then, Meta and Google have worked hard to cultivate their relationship with Trump and his White House. Tech leaders, including those from Meta, have promised to help Trump pay for his new White House ballroom.
Meta and Google donated $1 million each to Trump's inauguration fund, and Zuckerberg and Pichai had prominent seats at Trump's inauguration. Recently, Zuckerberg was seen in the audience at a mixed martial arts fight held on the White House lawn this month.
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