{
  "id": 15889915,
  "title": "Meta shifts policy chief ahead of US midterm elections",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/meta-shifts-policy-chief-ahead-of-us-midterm-elections",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-21T12:12:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Semafor",
    "slug": "semafor",
    "url": "https://www.semafor.com/article/10/21/2026/meta-shifts-policy-chief-ahead-of-us-midterm-elections"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Meta has replaced its Republican policy chief Joel Kaplan just before the anticipated blue wave in Washington. Kaplan, who joined Meta during Trump's second term, will step down early next year. Semafor reported Kaplan's appointment in early 2025, noting that Meta's political operation was well-positioned for a Republican-controlled Washington. Kaplan had replaced Nick Clegg, a UK politico, as Meta rushed to add MAGA credentials to their boardrooms and executive ranks. This move involved funding American priorities, hiring MAGA lobbyists, policing their platforms, and offering free work to the government. These actions may prove problematic as Democrats appear likely to gain control of at least one chamber of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections.",
  "summary": "Meta’s Republican policy chief Joel Kaplan announced his departure just ahead of a projected blue wave in Washington that threatens to rain down scrutiny on big tech companies.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}