Meta's former global affairs head Nick Clegg says Silicon Valley has pivoted right

Meta's former head of global affairs says executives pivoted right in some cases for 'rather more self-interested' reasons. Silicon Valley companies including Meta have decided to embrace MAGA politics, some for "rather more self-interested" reasons, the former UK deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has said. Clegg, who spent nearly seven years at Meta as the head of global affairs, told The Rest is Money podcast that it felt like "a very good time for me to move on" when he left the company in March 2025, three months into the second Trump administration.

Clegg's comments suggest that Silicon Valley's politics have shifted in response to changing political and economic conditions. During his tenure at Meta, Clegg oversaw the company's global policy and affairs efforts. His departure from the company came as Meta was navigating increased scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers.

The shift in Silicon Valley's politics has been a subject of interest in recent years, with some observers noting a change in the tech industry's traditionally liberal leanings. Clegg's remarks imply that some companies, including Meta, have made a deliberate choice to engage with and support conservative politics. Clegg did not provide further details on the specific reasons behind Meta's pivot, but his comments suggest that the company's leadership made a calculated decision to adapt to changing circumstances.

The implications of this shift are still unclear, but it is likely to have significant consequences for the tech industry and beyond. The reasons behind Silicon Valley's pivot to the right are complex and multifaceted. One possible explanation is that companies like Meta are seeking to build bridges with conservative lawmakers and policymakers in order to advance their business interests.

By embracing MAGA politics, these companies may be attempting to mitigate regulatory risks and position themselves for future growth. Why this matters: The shift in Silicon Valley's politics has significant implications for the tech industry and beyond. As companies like Meta continue to evolve their policies and priorities, developers, businesses, and consumers will need to adapt to a new reality.

The extent to which this shift will influence policy debates and regulatory outcomes remains to be seen. One thing is clear, however: the intersection of technology and politics has never been more complex, and the consequences of this shift will be far-reaching.