Lina Khan sounds the alarm on potential deals between Meta and a future Trump administration. Khan’s concerns come as Meta faces antitrust lawsuits and implements major policy shifts. Will Meta secure favorable settlements in ongoing antitrust lawsuits under the Trump administration?
FTC Chair’s Warning and Meta’s Legal Battles
Outgoing FTC Chair Lina Khan has raised concerns about potential “sweetheart deals” between tech giants and a future Trump administration. Khan, who has been instrumental in the FTC’s legal battles against companies like Meta and Amazon, emphasized the need for vigilance against overly favorable settlements.
The FTC filed an antitrust lawsuit against Meta in 2020, accusing the company of maintaining an illegal monopoly through its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. Despite Meta’s efforts to secure a summary judgment, a federal judge has denied the request, setting the stage for a trial in April.
On CNBC this morning, outgoing FTC chair Lina Khan – who has been pursuing a huge antitrust case against Meta – said the company might “want a sweetheart deal” from the Trump administration, “and I hope future enforcers wouldn’t give them that.” https://t.co/6irhsFHJdM
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) January 7, 2025
Meta’s Policy Shifts and Political Realignment
In response to regulatory pressures and the changing political climate, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced significant changes to the company’s content moderation policies. These include ending its fact-checking program in favor of a community-based approach called “Community Notes,” altering policies on gender and immigration and relocating trust and safety teams from California to Texas.
Zuckerberg attributed these changes to the recent elections, stating, “The recent elections also feel like a cultural tipping point towards, once again, prioritizing speech.” This shift in approach signals Meta’s attempt to navigate the complex intersection of free speech, content moderation, and regulatory compliance.
FTC Chair Khan discussing Meta's rollback on fact-checking: Calls out the problem with a "single company or single executive" making decisions about everyone's speech as a market issue and warns of "sweetheart deals" by execs w/ Trump, especially ahead of Meta's antitrust case pic.twitter.com/LXKQt1OWYN
— Zamaan Qureshi (@zamaan_qureshi) January 7, 2025
Meta’s Strategic Moves and Trump Connections
Meta’s interactions with Trump and recent corporate decisions suggest a strategic realignment. The company donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, and Zuckerberg has met with the President-elect, indicating efforts to establish a favorable relationship with the incoming administration.
In a move that further solidifies its connection to Trump’s circle, Meta appointed Dana White, UFC CEO and Trump supporter, as a new member of its board of directors. These actions, coupled with the policy changes, underscore Meta’s efforts to position itself favorably in the face of ongoing antitrust challenges and potential regulatory shifts under a new administration.