Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is replacing left-wing Nick Clegg, the president of Meta’s global policy team, with Joel Kaplan, a Republican, according to a report from Semafor.
Kaplan served as the White House Deputy Chief of Staff under George W. Bush and has been “one of the most forceful voices inside Meta against restrictions on political speech,” the report said, noting that Kaplan has argued that restrictions would censor conservative posts.
Clegg confirmed his departure in a social media post, writing on Facebook, “As a new year begins, I have come to the view that this is the right time for me to move on from my role as President, Global Affairs at Meta.”
He wrote that his time at Meta “coincided with a significant resetting of the relationship between ‘big tech’ and the societal pressures manifested in new laws, institutions and norms affecting the sector. I hope I have played some role in seeking to bridge the very different worlds of tech and politics – worlds that will continue to interact in unpredictable ways across the globe.”
“And no one could pick up from where I’ve left off with greater skill and integrity than my deputy, Joel Kaplan. I am simply thrilled that Joel will now become Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer,” Clegg added. “Over the years that we have worked together, we have become good friends as well as close colleagues – I have laughed with, as well as learned from, Joel in equal measure. He will be able to build on what we have done together, and improve upon what I failed to get done.”
Zuckerberg said in response to Clegg, as per Semafor: “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.”
The news follows Meta donating $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund.
Stephen Miller, who has been appointed deputy chief of staff for Trump’s incoming administration, told Fox News following the meeting that Zuckerberg “has been very clear about his desire to be a supporter of and a participant in this change that we’re seeing all around America, all around the world with this reform movement that Donald Trump is leading.”
While Miller noted that Zuckerberg “has his own interests,” the tech CEO has made it clear “that he wants to support the national renewal of America under President Trump’s leadership.”
