Nick Clegg, the former Deputy Prime Minister of the UK, has announced he will step down as Meta’s president of global affairs. He shared the news in a Facebook post on Thursday, confirming his departure after nearly seven years with the company.
Joe Kaplan to Take Over
Replacing Clegg will be Joe Kaplan, his current deputy. Kaplan, who previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff under President George W. Bush, is well-known for managing Meta’s relations with Republicans.
Smooth Transition Period
Clegg will spend the next few months facilitating the transition. During this time, he will also represent Meta at international events. Afterward, Clegg plans to move on to “new adventures.”
Trump’s Criticism of Meta
Interestingly, Clegg’s resignation comes just before Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Trump has long accused Meta of censoring conservative speech, particularly after the company suspended his accounts in 2021 following the Capitol riot. However, it appears that tensions may have eased, as Trump and Zuckerberg have reportedly dined together at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate since the election.
Clegg’s Role at Meta
Clegg joined Facebook in 2018 after losing his parliamentary seat. He was instrumental in launching Meta’s Oversight Board, a panel that advises on policies related to content moderation, privacy, and more. Additionally, Clegg has been outspoken about Elon Musk, criticizing him for turning X (formerly Twitter) into a “one-man hyper-partisan hobby horse.”
Looking Ahead
In his farewell message, Clegg expressed immense gratitude for his time at Meta. He noted that his tenure coincided with significant changes in the relationship between “big tech” and societal pressures. “I hope I have played some role in seeking to bridge the very different worlds of tech and politics,” he said.
Finally, Clegg expressed confidence in Kaplan’s ability to take over, stating, “He is quite clearly the right person for the right job at the right time!”
