Meta Global Affairs chief Nick Clegg will be replaced by Republican Joel Kaplan

Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for free

Your guide to what the 2024 US election means for Washington and the world

Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, is leaving the social media platform and will be replaced by Joel Kaplan, a prominent Republican known for overseeing the company’s relationships with conservatives.

In a post on Meta’s Facebook on Thursday, Clegg, a former leader of the Liberal Democrats and deputy prime minister in the United Kingdom, said he was leaving the company after seven years. He added that he would “spend a few months handing over the reins” and representing Facebook at international meetings before embarking on “new adventures.”

Kaplan previously served as deputy White House chief of staff during the George W. Bush administration and is known for overseeing the company’s relations with Republicans.

In the past, Facebook has denied claims that certain figures, including Kaplan, exercised political influence over its decision-making processes and treatment of politicians.

The shakeup comes just weeks before Donald Trump — who has repeatedly accused Meta and other platforms of censorship and suppressing conservative speech — is set to return to the White House.

Some Big Tech executives who previously had a good relationship with the Republican leader have since taken steps to woo the president-elect. Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg has dined with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida since the US election and congratulated him on his victory. Semafor first reported the changes.