Joel Kaplan is leaving Meta. The company’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, and its most prominent Republican in Washington, has announced his departure after more than 15 years.
He isn’t leaving right away. Kaplan is expected to stay on through the November 3, 2026 US midterm elections, with his last day expected to fall in 2027.
A long exit, by design
Kaplan framed the decision in personal terms. He said he wants more time with his family and a chance to recharge.
“catch my breath”
That was how Kaplan described what he was looking for.
Once he leaves, his responsibilities will shift to Dina Powell McCormick. She currently serves as Meta’s president and vice chairman, and she will now also manage external affairs.
Other executives, including Chief Legal Officer C.J. Mahoney, are expected to absorb additional policy-related duties.
From Bush White House to Facebook’s policy engine
Kaplan arrived in 2011, back when the company was still called Facebook. He played a significant part in building the company’s US policy team. Over time he rose to lead global policy and government affairs.
Kaplan served as deputy chief of staff for policy under President George W. Bush. Earlier, he was a Marine Corps artillery officer.
His profile grew sharply in January 2025. That month Kaplan was promoted to Chief Global Affairs Officer, succeeding Nick Clegg as part of a broader leadership reshuffle at Meta.
The swap carried obvious symbolism. Clegg, a former UK deputy prime minister, gave way to a Republican operative just as Meta was working to strengthen ties with the Trump administration.
Under Kaplan’s guidance, Meta then reset several high-profile policies. These included changes to its approach to fact-checking and its diversity initiatives.
Disclosure: This article was edited by John Chen. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.