Meta’s chief has grown accustomed to tough questioning in courts and hearings, but an antitrust trial that started Monday could be more grueling, experts said.

“Your honor, the FTC calls Mark Zuckerberg.” Flanked by two bodyguards, Meta’s CEO solemnly strode into a Washington, DC courtroom. Despite his last-ditch efforts to avoid a trial, he was there, jaw clenched, to defend his company from being broken up by the US government.