Carr to Lead FCC Amid Calls for Regulatory Overhaul

US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Brendan Carr, a Republican and vocal critic of big tech, as the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In a statement released on Sunday, Trump praised Carr as a “warrior for Free Speech,” emphasizing his track record of opposing what Trump described as “regulatory lawfare” that has hindered Americans’ freedoms. Trump added that Carr would work to end the regulatory burdens hurting job creators and innovators, especially in rural areas.

Carr, who currently serves as the senior Republican commissioner on the FCC, expressed his gratitude for the role in a post on Elon Musk’s platform X, saying he was “humbled and honoured” to take on the position. He also stated that dismantling the “censorship cartel” and restoring free speech for Americans would be a top priority.

 

Carr’s Background and Ties to Elon Musk

Carr has long been seen as a leading contender for the FCC chairmanship. His strong stance on deregulation and alignment with Musk, Trump’s major backer, has drawn significant attention. Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service stands to benefit from Carr’s policies, particularly after the FCC granted the service an $885 million grant in 2020 only for it to be revoked later due to insufficient proof of its reach to rural areas. Carr had fiercely opposed the revocation, criticizing what he called politically motivated regulatory actions targeting Musk.

 

A Vision for Big Tech Regulation

Carr has also supported Trump’s broader agenda to reduce regulation and hold media networks accountable for perceived political bias. Trump has previously called for the revocation of broadcast licenses for major networks like ABC, NBC, and CBS, accusing them of unfairly biased reporting. Carr’s views align with these goals, including efforts to impose stricter regulations on tech giants like Meta, Google, and Apple.

As part of his vision for the FCC, Carr contributed to the Project 2025 document, which outlined key goals for a second Trump administration. These include reigning in big tech companies, promoting national security, boosting economic prosperity, and ensuring the accountability of the FCC itself.

Carr’s appointment signals a significant shift in how the FCC will approach issues related to tech regulation and media oversight in the coming years.