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Meta CEO Zuckerberg Seeks Settlement in FTC Antitrust Case
Mark Zuckerberg, Chief Executive Officer of Meta, is reportedly engaging in intense lobbying efforts with the Trump administration to achieve a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding its antitrust lawsuit against the tech conglomerate. This push comes as the case is scheduled to proceed to trial later this month.
White House Visit Amidst Antitrust Scrutiny
The founder of Facebook was observed at the White House on Wednesday, coinciding with the administration’s preparations to unveil its latest trade policies, according to a Wall Street Journal report. This visit marks Zuckerberg’s third trip to the White House since President Trump assumed office, underscoring Meta’s efforts to engage with the administration amidst increasing regulatory pressure.
FTC Aims to Dismantle Meta’s Acquisitions
The FTC’s antitrust action seeks to dismantle Meta’s corporate structure by forcing the divestiture of its previously acquired entities, Instagram and WhatsApp. The regulatory body contends that Meta strategically purchased these platforms to suppress emerging rivals and solidify its dominance within the social media landscape. The trial for this significant antitrust case is currently slated to commence on April 14.
Administration Officials Express Reservations
Sources cited by the Journal suggest that certain officials within the Trump administration have expressed unease regarding Meta’s tactics and perceive the company’s vigorous pursuit of a settlement as overly assertive. The administration is reportedly still deliberating on whether to agree to a settlement.
Meta’s Response to Inquiry
Andy Stone, a spokesperson for Meta, refrained from directly commenting on Zuckerberg’s presence at the Oval Office. In a statement, Stone indicated that “Mark is continuing the meetings he’s been holding with the administration on American technology leadership,” suggesting the visit was part of ongoing discussions.
White House and FTC Remain Silent
Representatives for the White House and the FTC have not provided immediate responses to requests for comments on the matter.
Trump Administration’s Influence Over FTC
Since assuming office, President Trump has asserted greater authority over the FTC, implementing an executive order intended to grant him more direct influence over the agency. Traditionally, the FTC has been regarded as an independent entity from the executive branch.
Changes in FTC Leadership
In a recent move, the President dismissed two Democrat commissioners of the agency, a decision which has led to a lawsuit seeking to reverse their removal. In contrast, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, a Republican appointee, has publicly aligned himself with the President’s actions, referring to the agency as the “Trump-Vance FTC”.
FTC Prepared for Courtroom Battle
Despite settlement discussions, Chairman Ferguson has affirmed the FTC’s commitment to aggressively challenge anticompetitive practices by major technology firms. He recently indicated the agency’s readiness to confront Meta in court. “We’re gearing up for trial,” Ferguson stated to Bloomberg, emphasizing the extensive preparation and legal resources dedicated to the case, which he described as “five years in the making.”
Meta Opposes EU Tech Regulations
In addition to the FTC case, Meta and Zuckerberg have reportedly urged the Trump administration to challenge the European Union’s recent actions to impose fines on American tech companies for breaches of European competition regulations.
EU Antitrust Scrutiny Intensifies
According to prior reports, the European Commission, serving as the EU’s antitrust regulator, is anticipated to levy a substantial fine against Meta, potentially exceeding $1 billion, for noncompliance with the Digital Markets Act. Meta has been actively lobbying Trump administration officials to intervene in an effort to mitigate or completely avert this financial penalty.