Photo: Reuters
US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Republican Brendan Carr, a critic of big tech supported by Elon Musk, to lead the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In a statement on Sunday, Trump referred to Carr as a 'warrior for Free Speech.' Carr has been a vocal opponent of the regulatory 'Lawfare' that he believes has hindered Americans' freedoms. Trump's statement also highlighted Carr's commitment to ending the regulatory onslaught that has allegedly been stifling American job creators and innovators, while ensuring that the FCC serves rural America.
Carr expressed his 'humility and honor' in accepting the role of FCC chairman on Musk's social platform X. He reiterated his stance on dismantling the 'censorship cartel' to restore free speech rights for everyday Americans. Carr has frequently criticized tech giants like Facebook, Google, Apple, and Microsoft for their roles in the 'censorship cartel,' which he believes must be dismantled.
Carr, who was already the senior Republican on the FCC, an independent agency overseeing television and radio licenses, home internet pricing, and other communications issues in the US, has long been rumored as a contender for the FCC chair. He has formed an alliance with billionaire Musk, Trump's wealthiest backer, whose Starlink satellite internet service could benefit from federal funding.
The New York Times reported that Starlink received an $885 million grant from the FCC in late 2020, which was later revoked by the Democrat-led commission due to Starlink's inability to prove it would reach enough unconnected rural homes. Carr vehemently opposed this decision, calling it 'regulatory lawfare against one of the left's top targets: Mr. Musk' in a Wall Street Journal opinion article.
Carr has also publicly supported the incoming Trump administration's plans to reduce regulation and penalize television networks for perceived political bias. Trump has repeatedly called for the revocation of licenses from major broadcasters like ABC, NBC, and CBS. During the 2024 campaign, Trump singled out CBS, suggesting its license should be revoked after its news program '60 Minutes' interviewed his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, while he declined a similar interview.
Carr contributed to the controversial Project 2025 document, which outlined a vision for a second Trump administration. In it, he called for the regulation of large tech companies like Meta, Google, and Apple. The FCC, according to Carr, needs to focus on four main goals: curbing big tech, promoting national security, 'unleashing' economic prosperity, and ensuring FCC accountability.
Carr first joined the FCC in 2012 and was appointed as one of its commissioners by Trump during his first term in 2017. Prior to his FCC role, Carr worked as a lawyer specializing in regulatory issues.
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