Full Breakdown
Meta Announces Departure of Longtime Washington Adviser Joel Kaplan
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Kaplan to Exit After Midterm Elections
Meta confirmed that Joel Kaplan, the company’s chief global affairs officer, will remain leading its policy team through the 2026 midterm elections and then depart sometime in 2027. The company said his responsibilities will be divided between Dina Powell McCormick, Meta’s president and vice-chairman, and C.J. Mahoney, Meta’s chief legal officer.
Background & Context: Kaplan’s Role and Political Ties
Kaplan joined Meta in 2011 after a career that included service as deputy chief of staff to former President George W. Bush and a stint as a Marine Corps artillery officer. Over more than 15 years he oversaw the firm’s response to major policy challenges, from the 2018 Cambridge Analytica scandal to the termination of Meta’s fact-checking program. He is credited with repairing the relationship between Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and former President Donald Trump after the platform temporarily suspended Trump’s account following the January 6 riot. Kaplan’s tenure has been marked by a closer alignment with the Trump administration and a reputation as the most vocal champion for conservatives inside Meta.
Official Statements & Responses
Meta’s spokesperson said Kaplan will stay on “to help with the transition” before focusing on family time. The company noted that Powell McCormick, a former Trump-administration official, will add external affairs to her portfolio as part of the hand-off, while Mahoney will assume legal oversight. Zuckerberg praised Kaplan’s “strong advocacy for our policies” and described him as a friend in a statement released alongside the announcement.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When he arrived, there was no playbook for ensuring our products would be available to the billions of people around the world who now rely on them,” — Mr. Zuckerberg, top washington adviser — Mr. Zuckerberg, top Washington adviser
- “I’ll be at the company for a few months to help with the transition, and then look forward to catching my breath,” — Joel Kaplan, company spokesperson — Joel Kaplan, company spokesperson
- “When he arrived, there was no playbook for ensuring our products would be available to the billions of people around the world who now rely on them. And throughout all of it, he’s been a strong advocate for our policies, and a friend to me,” — Mark Zuckerberg, top washington adviser — Mark Zuckerberg, top Washington adviser
Timeline
- April 14, 2025 – Kaplan appeared at the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Court House in Washington, DC.
- January 6 – He helped mend Meta’s relationship with Trump after the platform’s temporary suspension of the former president’s account.
- June 12 – Kaplan attended the UFC Freedom 250 celebration hosted by Meta and UFC in Washington, DC.
These developments close a chapter for a figure who has shaped Meta’s Washington strategy for more than a decade.
