On December 4, 2024, Donald Trump announced the appointment of Gail Slater as the head of the antitrust division at the Department of Justice via his Truth Social platform.
Trump stated that Big Tech has dominated the market for years, stifling competition in the most innovative sectors. By selecting Slater, a former lobbyist for major internet companies, he aims to confront these tech giants.
The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) currently have five active lawsuits against companies like Amazon, Apple, and Meta. Recently, the antitrust division secured a legal victory against Google, pushing for the company to divest its Chrome browser.
Adam Kovacevich, director of the tech lobbying group Chamber of Progress, noted that while the Trump administration should maintain its lawsuits against Big Tech, a shift in strategy may occur.
Despite concerns over immigration policies that could affect foreign talent, Trump has garnered support from figures like Elon Musk, aligning with the Republican Party’s campaign focus on leading in emerging industries.