President-elect Donald Trump has selected Big Tech critic Brendan Carr to lead the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as its chairman when he takes office in January 2025.
Carr, who has served on the commission since 2017, is expected to steer the agency into a more aggressive stance on regulating the tech industry, aligning with Trump’s broader goals of reducing government oversight and challenging what he sees as the censorship of conservative viewpoints by social media platforms.
He has been a long-time critic of tech giants like Google, Meta, and Microsoft, dubbing them the “censorship cartel,” and advocates for greater transparency and accountability, especially in terms of their content moderation practices.
In addition to his FCC duties, Carr co-authored a chapter in the conservative Project 2025 document, outlining policy proposals to regulate tech firms, improve rural broadband access, and take a tougher stance on apps like TikTok.
In a statement announcing the appointment, Trump hailed Carr as a "warrior for free speech" and praised his efforts to combat what he describes as regulatory overreach that stifles American freedoms and the economy.
"Brendan has fought against the regulatory lawfare that has held back job creators and innovators," Trump said. "He will ensure the FCC works for the people, especially in rural America."
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Carr expressed his gratitude for the nomination, stating that he was “humbled and honored” by the opportunity to lead the FCC.
"We must dismantle the censorship cartel and restore free speech rights for everyday Americans," he wrote.
We must dismantle the censorship cartel and restore free speech rights for everyday Americans.
— Brendan Carr (@BrendanCarrFCC) November 18, 2024