Meta appoints Joel Kaplan new global affairs chief

• Published On: 04 January 2025 at 18:49

Meta has named Joel Kaplan as its new Chief Global Affairs Officer, succeeding Nick Clegg as the company repositions itself ahead of the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump.

Kaplan, who previously worked for Clegg, has extensive experience in Republican politics, having served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy under former President George W. Bush. Kaplan joined Meta in 2011 and will now oversee the company's global affairs and communications strategy. Kevin Martin, a veteran Meta executive with Republican political ties, will succeed Kaplan as head of global policy.

Clegg, a former British Deputy Prime Minister and the leader of the centre-left Liberal Democrats, announced his resignation on Thursday via social media. Reflecting on his tenure, Clegg was confident that Kaplan was the "right person for the right job at the right time." He emphasised Kaplan's ability to guide Meta through changing societal and political expectations about 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," according to Clegg. Clegg has been with Meta since 2018, helping to shape the company's content policy, oversee elections, and establish Meta's independent oversight board.

In a comment on Clegg's post, Kaplan described the leadership change as "bittersweet". His appointment represents a significant shift in the company's leadership, bringing it closer to Republican political figures as the political landscape evolves.

While Kaplan has faced criticism for his perceived political leanings, including allegations of favouring conservative interests, Meta has denied any political bias. Critics, including some former employees, claim that Kaplan advocated for exceptions to content rules to appease Republican figures. In 2021, documents released by a Facebook whistleblower revealed allegations that Kaplan influenced content decisions that benefited conservative figures.

The appointment comes as businesses, including Meta, seek to rebuild their relationship with the incoming Trump administration. Meta's efforts to ease tensions with Trump include a $1 million donation to his inauguration fund, which deviates from the company's previous practices.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg has also expressed regret for previous decisions that have alienated conservatives, particularly the company's decision to suspend Trump's accounts following the January 6th Capitol riot. Despite previous tensions, the overtures appear to have cooled relations between Meta and Trump, who had chastised the company for its content moderation practices during the 2020 US presidential election.