Trump Picks Big Tech Critic Brendan Carr As FCC Chairman

Brendan Carr, Trump’s Federal Communications Commission Pick, Pledges to Tackle Big Tech, Promote Free Speech, and Boost Rural Connectivity

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Republican Brendan Carr, a vocal critic of Big Tech and ally of Elon Musk, as the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Announcing the decision on Sunday, Trump praised Carr as a “warrior for Free Speech” and vowed to tackle regulatory overreach while bolstering support for rural America.

Carr, who currently serves as the senior Republican on the FCC, will now oversee the independent agency responsible for U.S. radio, television, cable, and internet communications.

A Bold Mandate for the FCC

In a statement, Trump said Carr would work to

“end the regulatory onslaught that has been crippling America’s Job Creators and Innovators” and ensure the FCC “delivers for rural America.”

Carr expressed gratitude for the appointment on Elon Musk’s X platform, stating,

“We must dismantle the censorship cartel and restore free speech rights for everyday Americans.”

A History of Big Tech Battles

Carr has long been a prominent figure in tech regulation, often criticizing what he describes as “regulatory lawfare” targeting conservative voices and innovators like Musk. Recently, he opposed the FCC’s decision to revoke an $885 million grant to Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service. The grant, issued in late 2020, was later canceled by the Democrat-led FCC due to doubts about Starlink’s ability to serve rural areas effectively.

Carr called the decision a politically motivated attack, writing in the Wall Street Journal last month that it was aimed at “one of the left’s top targets: Mr. Musk.”

Big Plans for Tech Regulation

Carr’s alignment with Trump’s agenda was further cemented through his contributions to the conservative Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. In this policy blueprint for a second Trump administration, Carr outlined plans to regulate tech giants like Meta, Google, and Apple while promoting economic growth and national security.

Trump’s criticisms of mainstream broadcasters, including ABC, NBC, and CBS, may also gain momentum under Carr’s leadership. During his campaign, Trump called for stripping major networks of their licenses, citing perceived political bias.

As FCC chairman, Carr is expected to drive policies that rein in Big Tech, support rural internet access, and promote free speech while keeping a close eye on national security concerns.

Stay tuned for updates on Carr’s agenda as he assumes the helm of one of the most influential regulatory bodies in the U.S.