Trump Announces Even More Names for His Administration
TownhallDEC 22 2024
Trump Taps Andrew Ferguson to Lead Federal Trade Commission
Above: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) headquarters in Washington, DC, on Sept. 28, 2024. Image copyright: Stefani Reynolds/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Facts
Republican US Pres.-elect Donald Trump has announced Andrew Ferguson as his choice to lead the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in his incoming presidency. He will replace the current chair Lina Khan, a Democrat.
Ferguson, who joined the FTC as a commissioner in April 2024, previously served as Solicitor General of Virginia and clerked for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
The appointment comes after Ferguson traveled to Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence to present his vision for the agency to the transition team, advocating for continued scrutiny of big tech platforms while rolling back certain regulations.
The Spin
Republican narrative
This appointment represents a necessary correction to overreaching regulatory policies. Ferguson is promising to protect the free speech of all Americans against social media censorship, while also creating a more business-friendly environment that encourages innovation and economic growth through a lighter regulatory touch.
Democratic narrative
This selection signals a concerning shift toward politically motivated regulation. Ferguson's track record shows his leadership could result in weaker worker and consumer protections, in addition to weaker antitrust enforcement. The FTC may also force private companies to host harmful content against their will.
Metaculus Prediction
Public Figures
The Controversies
Political split
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