Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced a significant shake-up in its policy team, appointing Joel Kaplan, a former Republican White House staffer, as its new global policy head. Kaplan replaces Nick Clegg, who has stepped down after seven years at the company. The move comes amidst a shift in the political landscape, with President-elect Donald Trump set to take office.

Kaplan, who served as the White House deputy chief of staff during George W. Bush's administration, has been a prominent figure in Republican circles. His appointment has sparked speculation about Meta's stance on Trump's presidency, particularly given the company's past controversies with the President-elect. In 2018, Kaplan drew criticism for supporting Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during a Senate hearing about sexual assault allegations, which reportedly angered some Meta employees.

Despite past disagreements with Trump, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made efforts to build bridges with the President-elect. In recent months, Meta donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration, and Zuckerberg met with Trump in Mar-a-Lago in November. The move is seen as an attempt to curry favor with the incoming administration, which has been critical of big tech companies.

Clegg, who joined Meta in 2018, played a pivotal role in shaping the company's policies in the aftermath of the Cambridge Analytica scandal. During his tenure, Meta faced criticism for its handling of covid-related misinformation and its ban on Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts. In December, Clegg reversed the company's earlier stance, saying Meta had been mistakenly moderating too much.

Zuckerberg praised Clegg's contributions to Meta, saying he had made an "important impact advancing Meta's voice and values around the world, as well as our vision for AI and the metaverse." The CEO expressed excitement about Kaplan taking over the role, citing his "deep experience and insight leading our policy work for many years."

The appointment of Kaplan has significant implications for Meta's policy direction, particularly given the company's efforts to navigate the complex landscape of social media regulation. As the company continues to grapple with issues of misinformation, censorship, and political bias, Kaplan's appointment may signal a shift towards a more Trump-friendly stance.

In related news, Kevin Martin, a former Republican chair of the Federal Communications Commission, will take over Kaplan's role as vice president of global policy. The move highlights Meta's efforts to build a more diverse and experienced policy team, as the company prepares to face the challenges of the incoming administration.

As Meta navigates this critical juncture, the appointment of Kaplan as its new global policy head will be closely watched by industry observers and policymakers alike. The move has significant implications for the company's stance on social media regulation, censorship, and political bias, and may signal a shift towards a more Trump-friendly approach.