In a move that could signal a new era of increased scrutiny over Big Tech, US President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Brendan Carr, a vocal critic of the industry, to chair the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Carr, who currently serves as an FCC commissioner and co-authored the controversial “Project 2025” plan, has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated to the commission by both Trump and President Biden.
A Warrior for Free Speech
Trump praised Carr as a “warrior for free speech” who has “fought against the regulatory lawfare that has stifled Americans’ freedoms and held back our economy.” The president-elect’s choice reflects his desire to rein in the power of tech giants like Meta, Alphabet, Apple, and Microsoft, which Carr accused last week of taking steps to censor Americans.
In his role as FCC chairman, Carr has pledged to “restore free speech rights for everyday Americans” and crack down on what he sees as the overreach of Big Tech. His appointment is a clear signal that the Trump administration intends to take a more aggressive stance toward regulating the industry.
Project 2025: A Roadmap for the FCC
Carr’s vision for the FCC is outlined in “Project 2025,” a right-wing plan for Trump’s presidency that he co-authored. In a chapter devoted to the agency, Carr argued that its main goals should be “reining in Big Tech, promoting national security, unleashing economic prosperity, and ensuring FCC accountability and good governance.”
One of the most controversial proposals in the plan is a potential ban on the popular social media app TikTok if it does not disentangle itself from its China-based parent company. Carr’s hardline stance on TikTok and other foreign-owned tech platforms underscores his commitment to using the FCC as a tool to advance Trump’s “America First” agenda.
Speculation Mounts Over Treasury Secretary Pick
As Carr prepares to take the helm at the FCC, attention is turning to another key position in the Trump administration: Treasury Secretary. The president-elect has yet to announce his pick for this crucial role, but several top contenders have emerged.
According to sources close to the transition team, former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh and billionaire Marc Rowan are set to be interviewed by Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence in the coming days. Other names in the mix include Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee and investment titans Howard Lutnick and Scott Bessent.
The choice of Treasury Secretary will have significant implications for the US economy and financial markets, particularly as the country continues to grapple with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and rising inflation. Trump’s decision will be closely watched by investors, business leaders, and policymakers around the world.
A New Era for Tech Regulation?
As Brendan Carr prepares to take the reins at the FCC, many are wondering what his appointment will mean for the future of tech regulation in the United States. Will he follow through on his promises to crack down on Big Tech, or will political and industry pressures force him to take a more moderate approach?
One thing is clear: the debate over how to regulate the tech industry is far from over. With concerns ranging from data privacy and online censorship to market competition and national security, there are no easy answers. But as the Trump administration begins to put its stamp on key regulatory agencies like the FCC, the battle lines are being drawn for what could be a defining issue of our time.
