Former UK Deputy Prime Minister Sir Nick Clegg has announced his departure as Meta’s President of Global Affairs after nearly seven years with the social media giant. In a Facebook post on Thursday, the former Liberal Democrat leader revealed plans to step down, saying he would spend the coming months transitioning his responsibilities to his successor and representing Meta at international gatherings before pursuing “new adventures.”
Clegg will be succeeded by Joel Kaplan, his current deputy and a former Republican operative who served as Deputy Chief of Staff in George W. Bush’s administration. Kaplan is known for his strong ties to Republican leadership and his management of Meta’s relationships with conservatives.
Timing Amid Political Shifts
Clegg’s resignation comes at a pivotal moment, just weeks before Donald Trump’s return to the White House. The president-elect has long been a vocal critic of Meta, accusing the platform of censorship and bias against conservatives. Relations between Trump and Meta’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg, have been fraught, particularly after Facebook and Instagram suspended Trump’s accounts in 2021 following the January 6 Capitol riots.
Although tensions eased after Trump’s 2024 election victory—marked by a congratulatory message and a $1 million donation to Trump’s inauguration fund from Zuckerberg—Clegg’s departure is seen as a signal of shifting priorities at Meta as it braces for a new political landscape in Washington.
Clegg’s Legacy at Meta
Clegg joined Meta in 2018 after losing his parliamentary seat in 2017. Initially recruited to manage governmental relations, he quickly rose to the prominent role of President of Global Affairs. During his tenure, he became a key figure navigating the increasingly complex relationship between technology companies and governments worldwide.
One of Clegg’s most notable contributions was the creation of Meta’s Oversight Board, an independent entity tasked with overseeing the company’s content moderation decisions. He described his efforts as a “resetting of the relationship between big tech and societal pressures,” acknowledging both progress and missteps.
Recently, Clegg admitted that Meta’s policies had sometimes unfairly penalized users, underscoring the challenges of balancing free expression with accountability. His departure comes as Meta continues to face intense scrutiny over its influence, content moderation, and compliance with evolving regulations.
Criticism of Trump and Musk
Clegg has not shied away from voicing his opinions about figures like Trump and Elon Musk. He recently described Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), as a “political puppet master” who had turned the platform into a “hyper-partisan hobby horse.” These remarks highlight the stark ideological divides within the tech world and the increasing entanglement of politics and social media.
Moving On
Returning to London in 2022 after initially relocating to Silicon Valley, Clegg expressed gratitude for his time at Meta. “I hope I’ve played some role in bridging the worlds of tech and politics—two spheres that will continue to intersect in unpredictable ways globally,” he said.
As he steps down, Meta finds itself at a crossroads, preparing for renewed challenges under Trump’s presidency and navigating the evolving dynamics between technology, regulation, and society. For Clegg, the future promises new opportunities as he leaves behind a transformative chapter in his career