Tech giant Meta has appointed Joel Kaplan as its new Chief Global Affairs Officer, replacing Nick Clegg as Meta repositions itself in anticipation of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Kaplan, who previously reported to Clegg, has a long history in Republican politics, having served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy under former President George W. Bush. He joined Meta in 2011, and in his new role, Kaplan will oversee the company’s global affairs and communications strategy. Kevin Martin, another veteran Meta executive with Republican political ties, will succeed Kaplan as the head of global policy.
Clegg, a former British Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the center-left Liberal Democrats, announced his departure in social media posts on Thursday. Reflecting on his tenure, Clegg expressed confidence that Kaplan was the “right person for the right job at the right time.” He highlighted Kaplan’s ability to guide Meta through the evolving societal and political expectations surrounding technology.
“Joel is ideally placed to shape the company’s strategy as the global conversation around technology and its role in society continues to evolve,” Clegg wrote. Clegg has been with Meta since 2018, playing a key role in shaping the company’s content policy, overseeing elections, and establishing Meta’s independent oversight board.
Kaplan described the leadership change as “bittersweet” in a comment on Clegg’s post. His appointment marks a notable shift in the company’s leadership, aligning it more closely with Republican political figures amid the political landscape’s evolving dynamics.
While Kaplan has faced scrutiny over his perceived political leanings, including accusations of prioritizing conservative interests, Meta has denied any political bias. Critics, including some former employees, have alleged that Kaplan advocated for exceptions to content rules to appease Republican figures. In 2021, documents released by a Facebook whistleblower revealed claims that Kaplan had exerted influence on content decisions that benefited conservative figures.
The appointment comes as businesses, including Meta, are eager to rebuild their relationship with the incoming Trump administration. Meta’s efforts to smooth tensions with Trump include a $1 million donation to his inauguration fund, a departure from the company’s past practices.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg has also expressed regret over previous decisions that alienated conservatives, notably the company’s decision to suspend Trump’s accounts following the January 6th Capitol riot. Despite the past tensions, the overtures appear to have softened the relationship between Meta and Trump, who had criticized the company for its content moderation practices during the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
