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Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, is leaving the social media platform to be replaced by Joel Kaplan, a prominent Republican known for overseeing the company’s relationship with conservatives.
In a post on Meta’s Facebook on Thursday, Cleggthe former leader of the Liberal Democrats and UK Deputy Prime Minister, said he was leaving the company after seven years. He added that he would spend “a few months handing over the reins” and presenting Facebook at international gatherings before moving on to “new adventures.”
Kaplan previously served as White House deputy chief of staff during the George W. Bush administration, and is known for managing the company’s relations with Republicans.
In the past, Facebook has rejected claims that certain individuals, including Kaplan, had political influence over decision-making processes and the treatment of politicians.
The shake-up comes just weeks before Donald Trump – who has repeatedly accused Target and other platforms to censor and silence conservative speech — should be returned to the White House.
Some Big Tech executives who previously had a frosty relationship with the Republican leader have since taken steps to ingratiate themselves with the president-elect. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has dined with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago, Florida estate since the US election and congratulated him on his victory. Semafor was the first to report on the changes.
