In a move that reflects President-elect Donald Trump’s aggressive stance on free speech and tech regulation, Brendan Carr has been named the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Carr, a longtime ally of Trump and a senior Republican on the commission since 2017, wasted no time in outlining his agenda. Hours after the announcement, Carr vowed to “dismantle the censorship cartel” and restore “free speech rights for everyday Americans.”
His comments were swiftly endorsed by Elon Musk, who replied with a single word on X: “Based.” The exchange underscored the ideological alignment between Trump, Musk, and Carr, all of whom have railed against what they view as censorship by Big Tech.
Carr’s priorities suggest a marked departure from traditional FCC focuses such as broadband expansion and wireless spectrum policy. Instead, he has targeted tech companies, broadcast media, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, reflecting Trump’s campaign rhetoric.
Carr’s vision, outlined in his chapter of the conservative policy blueprint Project 2025, emphasizes curtailing Big Tech’s influence, promoting national security, and increasing FCC accountability. He has called for repealing Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which grants legal immunity to platforms moderating user-generated content, and has supported banning TikTok over national security concerns.
Observers anticipate a more partisan FCC under Carr, with policies closely aligned to Trump’s grievances. “Carr doesn’t care about protecting the public interest; he got this job because he will carry out Trump and Musk’s personal vendettas,” the media reform group Free Press said in a statement.
However, Carr’s qualifications were praised by some across the aisle. Gigi Sohn, a former Democratic FCC official, acknowledged on X that “he is highly qualified and a good guy,” despite significant policy disagreements.
Carr’s relationship with Musk could have significant implications for federal subsidies and regulations affecting Starlink, Musk’s satellite internet service. Previously, Carr accused Democrats of deploying “regulatory lawfare” against Starlink. Now, as chairman, Carr will oversee the distribution of federal broadband subsidies, potentially steering billions toward the service.
While Carr assured Politico that he would act as an impartial regulator, his public alignment with Musk’s free speech agenda has drawn scrutiny. Trump described Carr as “a warrior for Free Speech” in his official announcement, a label that positions him as a key player in the broader Republican battle against perceived online censorship.
Carr has also hinted at tougher scrutiny of broadcast TV and radio stations, aligning with Trump’s critiques of mainstream media. Trump has repeatedly called for revoking the licenses of networks he accuses of bias or unfavorable coverage, though such actions would likely require changes to the FCC’s licensing rules.
Carr emphasized that broadcasters must operate in the public interest, signaling a potential shift in enforcement. Historically, the FCC has approached public interest obligations through routine quarterly filings, rarely denying license renewals. It remains unclear how Carr might redefine these obligations or use the FCC’s authority to penalize broadcasters.
Despite Carr’s rhetoric, the FCC’s jurisdiction over tech platforms like Google and Facebook is limited. Meaningful action against these companies would require congressional intervention, as the FCC primarily regulates communications infrastructure, not content moderation.
Carr’s recent letter to CEOs of Meta, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Apple, warning of impending federal action on censorship, indicates his intent to push Congress and the Trump administration toward expanding the FCC’s role. The letter also criticized NewsGuard, a company that rates the reliability of news websites, accusing it of curbing free speech—a claim the company strongly denied.
Carr inherits an agency with a broad mandate but limited resources, and his appointment reflects a broader ideological battle over free speech, media regulation, and tech governance.
Under previous chairs, such as Ajit Pai during Trump’s first term, the FCC focused on narrowing the digital divide and advancing 5G infrastructure. By contrast, Carr’s agenda appears more confrontational, targeting what he sees as systemic bias against conservatives in both media and tech.
As his tenure unfolds, Carr will face resistance from Democrats, media watchdogs, and potentially even the courts. Yet with Trump and Musk as influential allies, Carr’s leadership could mark a transformative—and polarizing—chapter in the FCC’s history.
