It’s Mark Zuckerberg’s world and we’re all just living in it.
The billionaire Facebook founder posted a Fourth of July video showing him in a tuxedo with a tallboy in one hand and an American flag in the other — while surfing and Bruce Springsteen’s 1984 hit song “Born in the U.S.A” playing in the background.
The viral post generated more than 173,000 likes and 7,000 comments as of Thursday afternoon.
“Happy Birthday, America,” Zuckerberg wrote in the caption, adding an emoji of a US flag.
Judging by reactions on social media, Zuckerberg more than made up for a similar video from three years ago in which he was seen surfing off the coast of Hawaii to the tune of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
While the 2021 version was widely mocked, Thursday’s video generated widespread praise for “the Zuck,” who in recent years has sought to shake the image of a stiff, awkward tech geek while remaking himself into a fun-loving, relatable jujitsu-practicing guy with facial hair and a necklace.
“I hate to admit it but Mark Zuckerberg has swagger,” one X user wrote in response to Thursday’s video.
Another commenter wrote: “I don’t hate this.”
“This is seriously epic on his part,” wrote another X user who added an emoji depicting the Stars and Stripes.
“This man’s rebranding is something else,” observed another commenter on X.
“The PR team rehabbing Zuck continues their undefeated streak,” another X user added.
Zuckerberg has plenty of reasons to kick back — 181 billion to be exact. He is listed as the fourth richest person by Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which values his fortune at $181 billion as of Thursday.
Since Jan. 1, his net worth has ballooned by an additional $53.1 billion thanks to the performance of his company’s stock.
Shares of Meta have risen by nearly 50% since Jan. 1 as the company has made an aggressive pivot to ramping up its artificial intelligence business while continuing to dominate the digital ad space.
Last year, Meta tripled its stock price after Zuckerberg instituted cost-cutting measures including layoffs and the elimination of middle manager roles in an effort to streamline operations — an effort that was geared toward making 2023 the “year of efficiency.”
The Post has sought comment from Meta.
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