Joel Kaplan, who has been a significant figure in Meta and Mark Zuckerberg’s key advisor in Washington, DC, is set to resign next year from his position as chief global affairs officer, according to a company announcement on Tuesday.
A Republican and former deputy chief of staff under President George W. Bush, Kaplan will continue leading Meta’s policy team through the upcoming midterm elections before transitioning out at some point in 2027, a company representative indicated.
Having been with Meta for more than 15 years, Kaplan assumed the role of global policy chief after Nick Clegg stepped down in January 2025.
In a post on X, Kaplan mentioned, “I’ll be at the company for a few months to help with the transition, and then look forward to catching my breath.” He also expressed his intention to spend more time with family and contemplate his next steps.
Kaplan has been recognized internally as a strong voice for conservatives at Meta and is known for advocating a consistent approach during Zuckerberg’s pivot away from fact-checking and censorship practices on Facebook and Instagram.
He was influential in strengthening Meta’s relationship with former President Trump, who had previously criticized the company.
In a comment to Axios, Zuckerberg acknowledged Kaplan’s long-standing contributions, stating, “He has worked on virtually every tough issue Meta has faced for more than 15 years.” He emphasized Kaplan’s pivotal role in making Meta’s products accessible to billions globally, highlighting his advocacy for the company’s policies and his personal friendship.
While Meta hasn’t announced Kaplan’s successor, it seems several executives are ready to step into his role.
Among those expected to take on additional responsibilities is Dina Powell McCormick, the president and vice chairman at Meta. She will also oversee external affairs during this transition, as confirmed by a spokesperson. Powell served in the Trump administration and previously held a position at Goldman Sachs. She is currently leading Meta’s initiative to expand data centers and infrastructure to support the growing artificial intelligence sector.
Another key figure is CJ Mahoney, who became Meta’s chief legal officer in January. He played a significant role in negotiating the company’s controversial $18 billion settlement with a group of state attorneys general regarding claims about contributing to a teen mental health crisis.
