Meta’s top policy executive, Nick Clegg, is stepping down as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, with the company appointing Joel Kaplan, a prominent Republican, as his successor.
Leadership Shift at a Critical Juncture
Clegg, the former UK deputy prime minister and Meta’s president of global affairs since 2022, announced his departure in a Facebook post, citing the start of a new year as the right time for a change. While Clegg will stay on for a few months to assist with the transition, Kaplan will assume the role immediately.
Kaplan, a longtime Republican insider and former deputy chief of staff for policy under President George W. Bush, has been a key figure at Meta since 2011. His appointment comes as Meta braces for a Republican-controlled White House and Congress.
“Joel is quite clearly the right person for the right job at the right time,” Clegg wrote, praising Kaplan’s ability to navigate evolving societal and political expectations around technology.
Meta’s Strategy Under Kaplan
Kaplan’s elevation aligns with CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s efforts to foster closer ties with Trump and his administration. Zuckerberg, who has already met with Trump post-election and contributed $1 million to his inaugural fund, expressed excitement about Kaplan’s promotion, acknowledging his deep policy experience.
Kaplan’s vice president role will now be filled by Kevin Martin, a former FCC chairman under Bush and a Meta veteran since 2015.
Meta and Politics: A Complicated History
Under Clegg, Meta faced scrutiny for its handling of election-related content and content moderation policies, often drawing criticism from both sides of the political aisle. In recent years, the company has loosened restrictions on election-related claims, a move welcomed by Republicans.
Zuckerberg has also claimed that the Biden administration pressured Meta to “censor” content during the pandemic, a statement that Trump has used to promote his false 2020 election claims.
Looking Ahead
Meta is expected to play a central role in tech policy discussions under the Trump administration, including debates over AI regulation and ongoing antitrust cases. For Zuckerberg and the company, repairing strained relations with Trump could prove crucial as they navigate the shifting political landscape.
