Nick Clegg, the former UK deputy prime minister, has been speaking out about his tenure at Meta, where he served as vice president of global affairs and communications. In a candid interview for The Rest is Money podcast, recorded during the South by SouthWest (SXSW) 2026 show in London, Clegg painted a stark picture of Silicon Valley’s increasing politicisation.
Clegg’s tenure at Meta was marked by controversies surrounding misinformation, privacy concerns, and the potential harm caused by social media platforms. In the interview, he expressed his frustration with the tech giants’ growing politicisation, suggesting that they have become overly aligned with US politicians, particularly those on the right.
“I’ve seen the way that politicians in the US, particularly those on the right, have courted tech companies and used them to amplify their messaging,” Clegg said. He pointed to the example of former US President Donald Trump, who had a close relationship with tech CEOs and used social media to disseminate misinformation to his followers.
Clegg also spoke about the challenges of working within a company like Meta, which he described as having a “MAGA mentality” – a reference to the “Make America Great Again” slogan popularised by Trump. He claimed that some of the company’s executives have become so embroiled in US politics that they have lost sight of the social media platforms’ original purpose: to connect people and facilitate communication.
What this means: The politicisation of Silicon Valley is a worrying trend that could have far-reaching consequences for democracy and free speech. As tech giants continue to shape public discourse and influence the global agenda, it’s essential that they maintain their independence and avoid becoming pawns in the US political game.
