Meta's New Top Policy Exec: A Republican Takeover Ahead of Trump's Inauguration

Meta Platforms, Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has announced a significant shakeup in its top leadership just as President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office. Nick Clegg, the company's president of global affairs, is stepping down, and Joel Kaplan, a prominent Republican with deep ties to the GOP, will take his place. This move has raised eyebrows and sparked speculation about Meta's strategic direction and potential alignment with the incoming Trump administration.



Kaplan, who served as deputy chief of staff for policy in the Bush administration, is no stranger to Washington politics. His appointment comes at a time when Meta is seeking to improve its relationship with the Trump administration, which has been critical of the company's content moderation policies and perceived bias against conservative voices. In a statement, Meta said that Zuckerberg wants to take an "active role" in tech policy conversations with the incoming Trump administration, suggesting that Kaplan's appointment may be part of this effort.