The arrival of Mark Zuckerberg’s ultra‑luxury yacht in Seattle has triggered a wave of criticism, coinciding with a new round of layoffs by Meta in the area.
The vessel, estimated to be worth around $300 million and reportedly acquired by Zuckerberg as a 40th birthday purchase, appeared in the city’s harbour almost at the same time as the announcement of around 1,400 job cuts in Washington State.
The 120‑metre yacht, named Launchpad, drew crowds as it passed through the Ballard Locks on Tuesday evening, with many residents gathering to watch. However, the timing of its arrival prompted sharp reactions from workers and locals, according to local media.
Several onlookers reportedly jeered at the crew, while one protester shouted “pay your taxes”. Others described the sight of the superyacht alongside a city facing thousands of layoffs as a “symbol of Silicon Valley inequality.”
Backlash on social media
The yacht’s arrival coincided with documents confirming that Meta is proceeding with significant staff reductions in King County, a major hub for the company’s operations.
The layoffs form part of a broader restructuring strategy, as Meta shifts increasing resources towards artificial intelligence and automation. According to Reuters, total global job cuts could exceed 15,000, representing more than 20% of the company’s workforce.
Reaction on social media was swift. Users commented that “Zuckerberg’s yacht arrives in Seattle the same day Meta lays off 20% of its local workforce. You couldn’t make it up.”
Others described the Meta founder as “another tech billionaire out of touch with the moment.”
Local journalist Lewis Kamb echoed the sentiment with a reference to the famous phrase attributed to Marie Antoinette, writing: “Let me guess – is the yacht called ‘Let them eat cake’?”
Symbol of excess
The Launchpad, built by Dutch shipyard Feadship, is considered one of the largest and most expensive superyachts in the world. It includes multiple decks, a swimming pool, jacuzzis and a large crew.
Witnesses reported more than a dozen crew members on deck as the vessel moved through Seattle’s waterways.
Zuckerberg himself was not believed to be on board at the time, while a crew member said the yacht is expected to remain in and out of the area in the coming weeks.
Although the vessel’s arrival appears to have coincided with the layoffs by chance, many in Seattle viewed the spectacle of a multi‑million‑dollar yacht alongside large‑scale job losses as a stark illustration of the inequalities shaping the era of artificial intelligence.
