Staff Reports
President-elect Donald Trump appears ready to unleash the proverbial hounds on Big Tech, the corporate titans that seem to have taken a liking to silencing conservative voices since he announced his candidacy back in 2016. His second term isn’t just a chance for a rematch with the left; it’s also an opportunity to serve notice to those platforms that think they can play gatekeeper in the digital public square. After being booted from Twitter following the events of January 6, Trump isn’t shy about expressing his disdain for the tech giants that have meddled in free speech under the guise of moderation.
To spearhead his effort, Trump is tapping Andrew Ferguson to head the Federal Trade Commission, Brendan Carr to run the Federal Communications Commission, and Gail Slater for a top antitrust role at the Department of Justice. These individuals aren’t just your run-of-the-mill bureaucrats; they are trumpets of a new era where Big Tech will have to toe the line on free speech—or face the consequences. In stark contrast to the Biden administration’s approach, which focuses largely on market fairness and competitive practices against the likes of Google and Amazon, Trump’s strategy brings the spotlight back to the core issue: censorship. It’s a method aimed directly at transforming the digital landscape into a place where ideas can flourish rather than be stifled by progressive censorship.
NEW: 🇺🇸 🤖
Trump wants to create the second industrial revolution in America, and he thinks crypto, Ai, nano-tech, bio-tech, and quantum tech could lead to +4.5% economic growth and get us out of debt – ex-CFTC Chair on FOX pic.twitter.com/dWxHHpp0uz
— Radar🚨 (@RadarHits) November 27, 2024
The tech moguls who once held their noses at Trump are suddenly singing a different tune. Figures like Elon Musk and Marc Andreessen seem to align more closely with Trump’s vision of free speech as they pivot from traditional business concerns to robust advocacy against the perceived censorship of conservative voices. As if ushering in a new revolution, Musk’s acquisition of Twitter (now X) signals a shift towards a platform that embraces dialogue rather than dictates terms. That same sentiment is echoed by Andreessen, who has been outspoken about the left’s relentless pursuit of defining “hate speech” to stymie open discussion.
Even some unexpected allies from Silicon Valley have decided to jump on the Trump train, including WhatsApp founder Jan Koum and the Winklevoss twins, who have all reportedly funneled significant dollars into Trump’s campaign. Zuckerberg, too, seems to have undergone a metamorphosis. Despite his previous allegiance to the left, he now appears to be softening his approach, extending congratulations to Trump on his electoral win and cozying up to his administration by swinging a hefty donation toward his inaugural fund. This evolution hints at a quieter desiring to align himself with the incoming power rather than stand in opposition.
Moving forward, the new team is set to tackle Big Tech’s cozy relationship with censorship, which many believe undermines the very essence of free expression enshrined in the First Amendment. Trump’s selections are making it clear that his administration won’t merely roll over and accept business as usual from tech giants. With an agenda that is unapologetically focused on the free speech rights of everyday Americans, the potential clash between Silicon Valley and Trump’s administration promises to be nothing short of entertaining. The digital landscape may be reshaped, and it seems that Big Tech is about to be reminded who really calls the shots in America.
