President-Elect Donald Trump has appointed Brendan Carr, currently an FCC commissioner, as the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Carr, who was nominated by Trump in 2017, previously served as the FCC’s General Counsel before rising to his current position as the senior Republican member on the commission.
In a statement regarding Carr’s appointment, Trump praised him as a “warrior for Free Speech” who has actively fought against regulatory overreach that he believes has hindered American freedoms and economic growth. Trump expressed confidence that Carr will work to alleviate burdens on job creators and maintain a focus on the needs of rural America.
Carr recently made headlines by asserting that Kamala Harris’ appearance on Saturday Night Live potentially violated the “equal time” rule, prompting NBC to clarify the nature of her cameo. Following this incident, Trump’s campaign received airtime from NBC during major sports broadcasts in response to the situation.
Reactions to Carr’s appointment have been positive across major broadcasting and media organizations. Comcast’s chief legal officer highlighted Carr’s strong track record and knowledge as essential to advancing America’s digital future. Similarly, the CEO of Nexstar emphasized Carr’s understanding of local broadcasting, while the National Association of Broadcasters acknowledged his efforts in regulating large tech companies to promote fair competition for local stations.
Brendan Carr has been a member of the FCC since 2012 and has built a reputation as a steadfast advocate for issues related to free speech and regulatory reform. With his appointment viewed as a step toward enhancing support for traditional media and local broadcasters, there is optimism about his potential impact on the future of telecommunications policy in the United States.
This appointment signifies a pivotal moment for the FCC as it embarks on a journey of reform and modernization, promising to address the evolving landscape of communication technologies in a way that benefits all Americans, particularly those in rural regions.