Meta’s President of Global Affairs Nick Clegg Steps Down

Nick Clegg, the President of Meta’s Global Affairs team, announced his resignation, marking the end of his tenure since joining the company in 2018. Clegg, who played a significant role in shaping Meta’s approach to global policy and its relationship with governments, will be succeeded by Joel Kaplan, a senior Republican figure within the company. This leadership change comes as the company positions itself ahead of the incoming Donald Trump administration, which is set to begin in just three weeks.

Clegg announced his decision through a statement on X (formerly Twitter), explaining his rationale for stepping down. Reflecting on his time at Meta, he described it as a period of “significant resetting” of the dynamic between the tech industry and society. He stated that Kaplan, known for his conservative ties, is “clearly the right person for the right job at the right time.” This transition underscores Meta’s broader strategy of recalibrating its approach to political dynamics under the new U.S. administration.

The change in leadership comes against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny from Republicans, who have often criticized Meta for allegedly favoring center-left perspectives in its content moderation policies. The company has faced accusations of silencing conservative voices, particularly in its decision to suspend Donald Trump’s accounts following the January 6 insurrection. In response, Meta has been making visible efforts to rebuild trust with conservatives.

In the lead-up to the 2024 election, Meta restored Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts and removed restrictions on his content. Additionally, in August, Mark Zuckerberg issued an apology to House Republicans, acknowledging concerns over the company’s earlier decisions to limit the visibility of certain COVID-19 content under alleged pressure from the Biden administration. This shift in policy has been perceived as part of Meta’s attempt to align more closely with the incoming Republican leadership.

Meta’s approach to bridging divides between the tech industry and political factions is not unique. Other prominent figures in the sector, including Sundar Pichai of Google, Tim Cook of Apple, and Jeff Bezos of Amazon, have also engaged with Trump’s team in recent months. Notably, Zuckerberg contributed $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund and attended a private dinner with the president-elect at Mar-a-Lago, signaling a broader trend of technology executives seeking to maintain influence in the political landscape.

Kaplan’s appointment may further indicate Meta’s intent to rebuild its image among conservative audiences while navigating the challenges of maintaining neutrality in an increasingly polarized environment. As the new head of Meta’s policy team, Kaplan will face the task of managing the company’s approach to political and societal issues while addressing lingering criticisms of bias and transparency.

This leadership shift highlights the ongoing evolution of Meta’s relationship with political stakeholders and reflects the broader challenges faced by the tech industry in balancing regulatory expectations and public perception in a deeply divided political climate.