Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan expressed concern that the incoming Trump administration may favor Amazon and Meta (Facebook’s parent company) with lenient settlements in ongoing antitrust lawsuits. Speaking on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Khan highlighted the significant efforts from Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg to align with President-elect Trump, which included donations and personal visits to his residence. Khan emphasized the FTC’s success in litigations against these companies and feared they might seek “sweetheart deals” that allow them to evade serious consequences or settle for minimal penalties. When asked if she anticipated such outcomes in the next administration, Khan expressed hope that it wouldn’t happen but acknowledged her inability to predict future actions. She noted critical upcoming trials against Facebook and Amazon in 2023 and 2026, respectively, affirming her commitment to rigorous enforcement of antitrust laws during her tenure. Trump’s appointment of Andrew Ferguson to replace Khan further complicates the agency’s approach, as Khan has been recognized for her aggressive stance against anticompetitive practices.
