Nick Clegg leaves Meta ahead of Trump’s return as US president

Former UK Deputy Prime Minister Sir Nick Clegg has announced his resignation as Meta’s president of global affairs, ending nearly seven years at the social media giant. The former Liberal Democrat leader shared the news on a social media post on Thursday, stating he would transition out of the role over the coming months.

Sir Nick will be succeeded by his deputy, Joel Kaplan, a Republican and former White House deputy chief of staff under President George W. Bush. Kaplan, known for his expertise in managing Meta’s relationships with Republican lawmakers, will assume the position of chief global affairs officer.

Before departing, Sir Nick plans to assist in the leadership transition and represent Meta at international gatherings. He expressed his pride in his contributions at the company and said he was looking forward to “new adventures.”

Sir Nick’s resignation comes at a pivotal moment, just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. The tech giant has had a contentious relationship with Trump, particularly following the suspension of his Facebook and Instagram accounts in 2021. The suspension followed the Capitol riots on January 6, with Meta citing Trump’s praise for those involved in the violence.

Trump has since accused Meta and other platforms of censorship and bias against conservative speech. He even threatened to imprison Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg if the company interfered in the 2024 election. However, relations between Trump and Zuckerberg appear to be improving. The two reportedly dined together at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, and Zuckerberg has donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund.

Joining Meta in 2018 after losing his UK parliamentary seat in 2017, Sir Nick played a key role in navigating the intersection of politics and technology. Promoted to president of global affairs, he was instrumental in launching Meta’s oversight board, a panel tasked with advising on content moderation and privacy policies.

Sir Nick also became an outspoken critic of Elon Musk, describing the Tesla and SpaceX CEO as a political manipulator who had turned X, formerly Twitter, into a partisan platform.

During his tenure, Sir Nick Clegg aimed to bridge the challenging divide between technology and politics, particularly amid growing scrutiny on “big tech.” He expressed pride in navigating societal pressures that have reshaped the industry. Analysts see his departure as a strategic move aligned with Washington’s shifting political landscape. His successor, Joel Kaplan, a seasoned Republican strategist, is considered well-suited to handle Meta’s evolving relationship with the incoming administration, ensuring the company remains aligned with the changing dynamics in U.S. politics. Sir Nick’s legacy reflects a critical period of transformation for both the tech sector and its role in society.

Having initially relocated to Silicon Valley, Sir Nick returned to London in 2022. As he prepares to step away from Meta, he expressed confidence in Kaplan’s leadership, calling him the “right person for the right job at the right time.” Sir Nick now looks forward to exploring new opportunities while reflecting on his time at the forefront of one of the world’s most influential companies.