Mark Zuckerberg Faces Backlash Over Yacht Arrival Amid Meta Layoffs

Thursday, May 28, 2026

A $300 million superyacht named Launchpad arrived in Seattle amid Meta announcing 1,400 layoffs in the local area, prompting public backlash against Mark Zuckerberg. The timing of the yacht's docking during widespread job cuts drew criticism on social media as a tone-deaf display of wealth against the backdrop of corporate restructuring and workforce reductions.

Mark Zuckerberg faced public criticism following the arrival of a $300 million superyacht in Seattle amid significant layoffs at Meta’s local offices. The 390-foot vessel, named Launchpad, docked in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood on Tuesday, coinciding with the company’s announcement of approximately 1,400 job cuts in King County. Zuckerberg was not reported to be on board the yacht at the time.

The arrival of the vessel sparked vocal disapproval from some onlookers. One bystander was recorded expressing anger that Zuckerberg should “pay some f--king taxes,” while others took to social media to denounce the display of wealth in the context of widespread employee layoffs. On the online platform X, users criticized what they described as a tone-deaf moment, with one user referring to Zuckerberg as a “Tech Bro who can’t read the room,” and another highlighting the timing of the yacht’s arrival with a 20% reduction in Meta’s local workforce. Investigative reporter Lewis Kamp sarcastically referenced the yacht’s name, suggesting it reflected a “Let Them Eat Cake” attitude. Meta did not respond to requests for comment.

The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring at Meta that has resulted in the elimination of 8,000 positions companywide, with an additional 7,000 employees being redirected into artificial intelligence-focused roles. In Washington state, about 700 Meta employees were based in Bellevue, 206 in Redmond, nearly 300 in Seattle, and 231 identified as remote workers.

A dock worker familiar with the yacht noted that Launchpad is the largest vessel to arrive in the area in 14 years. The yacht was constructed by the Dutch shipbuilder Feadship, with exterior design by Espen Øino International and interior design by the French firm Zuretti Interior Design. It features a steel hull paired with an aluminum superstructure and is powered by four engines capable of reaching speeds up to 24 knots (approximately 28 mph). Although Zuckerberg has been publicly linked to the yacht since at least 2024, he has not officially confirmed ownership.