Meta's top policy executive, Nick Clegg, is stepping down from his role as President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office. His replacement is Joel Kaplan, a prominent Republican within the company.
Clegg, the former UK deputy prime minister, joined the company in 2018 and was later promoted to president of global affairs in 2022. In a Facebook post, Clegg mentioned that the company, formerly known as Facebook, has evolved significantly since he joined, leading to his decision to move on from his role. He will support Kaplan's transition for a few months before leaving the company.
Kaplan, who has deep Republican ties, has held key roles in President George W. Bush's White House before joining Meta in 2011. His appointment comes as Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, aims to strengthen ties with the incoming Trump administration.
Zuckerberg expressed gratitude for Clegg's contributions over the past seven years and welcomed Kaplan into his new role. Kaplan's current position as vice president of global policy will be filled by Kevin Martin, a former chairman of the US Federal Communications Commission.
Meta's interactions with political figures have been under scrutiny, with Zuckerberg meeting Trump and Meta donating to his inaugural fund. The company has also adjusted its content moderation policies, drawing both criticism and support from different political factions.
As Meta navigates a changing political landscape, Kaplan's experience and insight are seen as valuable assets to shape the company's strategy amidst evolving societal and political expectations around technology.
With the Biden administration's stance on Big Tech and ongoing antitrust lawsuits, Meta's engagement with the incoming Trump administration will be closely watched as key tech issues, including AI regulation and antitrust cases, come to the forefront.
