Meta Appoints Republican Joel Kaplan, Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff, as New Global Affairs President

Jan 2, 2025, 07:06 PM

Meta Platforms Inc. is undergoing a significant leadership change within its global policy team, as Nick Clegg, the President of Global Affairs, steps down from his role. He will be replaced by Joel Kaplan, his deputy and a prominent Republican figure within the company. This transition occurs just three weeks before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, reflecting a broader shift in the tech industry towards aligning with the incoming administration. Kaplan, who previously served as White House Deputy Chief of Staff under President George W. Bush, has been a vocal advocate against restrictions on political speech at Meta, arguing that such policies could disproportionately affect conservative voices. Clegg, a former British deputy prime minister, joined Meta in 2018 to lead its policy and lobbying efforts and was appointed president in 2022. His departure marks the end of a tenure that saw him navigate the company through various regulatory and societal challenges. Kevin Martin, appointed to the Federal Communications Commission by President George W. Bush, will replace Kaplan as vice president of global policy, and Jennifer Newstead, former top legal adviser to the Trump State Department, serves as Meta's general counsel. Mark Zuckerberg expressed gratitude for Clegg's contributions, stating, 'I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for Meta and the world these past seven years. I’ve learned so much working with you and our whole team is better for having this opportunity. You’ve made an important impact advancing Meta’s voice and values around the world, as well as our vision for AI and the metaverse. You’ve also built a strong team to carry this work forward. I’m excited for Joel to step into this role next given his deep experience and insight leading our policy work for many years.'