Podcast Summary: POLITICO Tech – "Will Trump’s Antitrust Pick be a Reset for Big Tech?"

Release Date: February 18, 2025
Host: Stephen Overleaded
Guest: Mohar Chatterjee, POLITICO Tech Contributor

Introduction

In the February 18, 2025 episode of POLITICO Tech, host Stephen Overleaded delves into the implications of President Donald Trump's nominee for the Justice Department’s Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, Gail Slater. The episode explores how Slater’s appointment could signal a significant shift in antitrust enforcement against Big Tech, contrasting her approach with that of the Biden administration.

1. Gail Slater’s Nomination and Confirmation Process

Stephen Overleaded opens the discussion by highlighting the significance of Gail Slater’s pending confirmation to lead the DOJ’s antitrust division. Slater’s role is pivotal in determining how the Trump administration will address the growing market power of major technology companies.

[02:04] Mohar Chatterjee: "She is planning to take a scalpel to big Tech," indicating a more precise and targeted approach compared to broad regulatory sweeps.

Slater is poised to oversee high-profile antitrust lawsuits against tech giants like Apple and Google, as well as potential new investigations into emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI).

2. Slater’s Antitrust Approach: Scalpel vs. Sledgehammer

Mohar Chatterjee explains that Slater’s metaphor of using a "scalpel" suggests a preference for meticulous and efficient antitrust enforcement over the "sledgehammer" approach perceived during the Biden administration.

[02:04] Mohar Chatterjee: "It's much more efficient for the antitrust enforcement arm of the DOJ to engage with the tech industry than it is for Congress to pass regulation."

This approach emphasizes utilizing existing laws rather than introducing new regulations, aiming to address monopolistic practices without broad legislative changes.

3. Contrasting with the Biden Administration’s Antitrust Policies

The conversation draws a clear distinction between Slater’s intended strategies and the Biden administration’s more aggressive stance on antitrust matters under Jonathan Kanter and Lina Khan.

[03:18] Stephen Overleaded: "Under Biden, ... Lina Khan at the FTC ... were essentially seen as villains."

While the Biden administration pursued sweeping and broad antitrust actions, Slater appears set to adopt a more focused and restrained methodology.

4. Gail Slater’s Background and Its Implications

Mohar Chatterjee provides an overview of Slater’s professional history, underscoring her deep ties to the Trump administration and the tech industry.

[06:01] Mohar Chatterjee: "Slater held top executive roles at Roku, Fox Core and a tech industry trade group called the Internet Association."

Her extensive experience within both government and the tech sector suggests a nuanced understanding of the industry, potentially influencing her antitrust enforcement policies to be more industry-friendly.

5. Big Tech and the Suppression of Conservative Speech

The episode addresses the longstanding Republican criticism that Big Tech suppresses conservative voices online. Stephen Overleaded queries how Slater views this issue, reflecting on the mixed messages from Republicans regarding tech censorship.

[07:54] Mohar Chatterjee: "Slater said there are non-antitrust ways to lessen what conservatives feel is the disappearance of their views from the Internet."

Slater acknowledges concerns about a duopoly in social media platforms, which could facilitate censorship regardless of political leaning. However, she emphasizes addressing these issues through existing antitrust frameworks rather than introducing new regulations.

6. Antitrust Concerns in the AI Industry

With AI becoming increasingly dominant, the discussion shifts to how Slater might handle competition within this burgeoning field.

[10:49] Mohar Chatterjee: "Slater said that it's too soon to tell" regarding monopolistic behaviors in the AI sector.

Slater’s cautious stance suggests a wait-and-see approach, contrasting with the Biden administration’s proactive measures in examining AI-related market concentrations. This indicates a potential divergence in how antitrust issues in AI might be addressed under different administrations.

7. Mergers & Acquisitions: Supporting "Little Tech"

The episode explores Slater’s perspective on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and their impact on smaller tech companies, often referred to as "Little Tech."

[13:18] Mohar Chatterjee: "Slater echoed that divestitures can ensure pro-competition, pro-consumer environments."

Slater’s support for M&A as a tool for fostering competition aligns with the interests of venture capital firms like Andreessen Horowitz, which favor acquisitions as a lucrative exit strategy for startups. This stance suggests a more accommodating approach to M&A, potentially enabling smaller tech firms to thrive without being overregulated.

Conclusion

As Sue Overleaded and Mohar Chatterjee wrap up the episode, they underscore the uncertainty surrounding Slater’s confirmation and the future of antitrust enforcement under the Trump administration. The contrasting approaches between Slater and her Biden predecessors highlight the evolving landscape of antitrust policy in the tech industry, particularly as it grapples with issues like AI dominance and the balance between regulation and industry growth.

[15:06] Mohar Chatterjee: "Thank you for listening to me geek out about antitrust. I really appreciate it."

Listeners are encouraged to stay tuned to POLITICO Tech for ongoing coverage of these developments.

Notable Quotes:

• Mohar Chatterjee [02:04]: "It's much more efficient for the antitrust enforcement arm of the DOJ to engage with the tech industry than it is for Congress to pass regulation."

• Stephen Overleaded [03:18]: "Under Biden, ... Lina Khan at the FTC ... were essentially seen as villains."

• Mohar Chatterjee [07:54]: "Slater said there are non-antitrust ways to lessen what conservatives feel is the disappearance of their views from the Internet."

• Mohar Chatterjee [10:49]: "Slater said that it's too soon to tell" regarding monopolistic behaviors in the AI sector.

• Mohar Chatterjee [13:18]: "Slater echoed that divestitures can ensure pro-competition, pro-consumer environments."

This comprehensive analysis provides listeners with a detailed understanding of the potential shifts in antitrust policy under Gail Slater’s leadership, offering insights into the broader implications for Big Tech and the evolving intersection of technology and policy.