Meta's New Policy Boss: Joel Kaplan - A Republican Strategist
Kaplan Takes the Helm as Meta Mends Fences with Trump
Facebook appoints Joel Kaplan as its new political director.
In a strategic shift, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has appointed Joel Kaplan as its new head of policy. With ties to the Republican Party and the incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, Kaplan's appointment seems to mark a new era for the tech giant.
Joel Kaplan, who served in the White House for Republican President George W. Bush from 2006 to 2009, will step into the role formerly held by British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. Clegg announced his departure in a Facebook post. Kaplan joined Meta in 2011 and served as Clegg's deputy most recently.
Reputation Repair: Meta's Tense Relationship with Trump
Meta is on a mission to mend its decades-long tumultuous relationship with Trump. Over the years, Republicans have accused Facebook of suppressing conservative views and criticized the permanent ban of Trump from the platform following the Capitol riot in January 2021.
Trump frequently dismissed Facebook as "the enemy of the people" during his presidential campaign and suggested that Mark Zuckerberg could spend the rest of his life in prison. However, Zuckerberg traveled to Florida for a meeting with Trump post-election and Meta donated $1 million to the inauguration ceremony for Trump's second term swearing-in on January 20.
Enrichment Insights:
- Dina Powell McCormick and Dana White, former Republican official and UFC CEO respectively, have been appointed to Meta's board of directors, aiming to improve Meta's standing with Trump allies.
- These moves suggest a deliberate effort by Meta to align with and curry favor from the Trump administration.
- By building relationships with influential figures and making strategic policy adjustments, Meta hopes to reduce potential conflicts and navigate regulatory challenges more effectively.
- Joel Kaplan, a Republican strategist with ties to Donald Trump, has been appointed as Meta's new head of policy, marking a strategic shift for the tech giant.
- Kaplan, who served under President George W. Bush, will take over the role previously held by Nick Clegg, the British Deputy Prime Minister, who announced his departure in a Facebook post.
- Meta is seeking to mend its tense relationship with Trump, with Republicans accusing Facebook of suppressing conservative views and criticizing Trump's permanent ban from the platform following the Capitol riot in January 2021.
- Meta's moves, including the appointment of Dina Powell McCormick and Dana White to its board of directors, seem to be a deliberate effort to align with Trump allies and reduce potential conflicts with the administration.
