Nick Clegg Steps Down as Meta's President of Global Affairs, Joel Kaplan to Replace Him

Nick Clegg, who has served as Meta’s President of Global Affairs since 2018, announced on Thursday that he would be stepping down from his role. Clegg’s departure marks a significant leadership change for the company, with Republican executive Joel Kaplan set to take over. This move comes at a crucial time, just three weeks before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office, and signals a potential shift in Meta’s political strategy.

In his tweet, Clegg explained that the new year was the right time for him to step away from his role, reflecting on his tenure during a period of major shifts in the relationship between big tech and societal pressures. He emphasized his pride in the work accomplished, particularly in navigating the challenges and evolving norms surrounding the tech industry.

Kaplan, who will now lead Meta’s Global Affairs team, has been a prominent figure within the company and is seen as a fitting choice to steer the company through the political landscape of Trump’s second term. Meta’s move to appoint Kaplan suggests the company may be looking to work more closely with conservatives after facing scrutiny from the right-wing over issues like content moderation and the banning of Trump’s accounts following the January 6 insurrection.

By appointing a Republican to lead its policy team, Meta appears to be signaling its intention to build stronger ties with the incoming administration and address concerns from conservative critics, signaling a shift in its approach to content moderation and political alignment.