Biden's Antitrust Campaign Targeting Tech Giants and Corporate Monopolies

Aiden Starling

Updated Sunday, May 26, 2024 at 6:05 AM CDT

Biden's Antitrust Campaign Targeting Tech Giants and Corporate Monopolies

President Joe Biden's administration has embarked on an aggressive antitrust campaign, targeting several high-profile corporations with lawsuits to curb monopolistic practices. This represents a significant shift from the approach of previous administrations. The Justice Department (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have filed suits against major tech companies like Live Nation, Google, Apple, Amazon, and Meta, accusing them of anti-competitive behavior.

Attorney General Merrick Garland recently accused Live Nation Entertainment of "anti-competitive and illegal" business practices, resulting in an antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster's parent company. Similarly, the DOJ has an ongoing case against Google, alleging the company monopolizes the search engine market. In March, the DOJ sued Apple, claiming the tech giant created a "smartphone monopoly" by obstructing competition.

The FTC has also been active, taking Amazon to court last year for allegedly luring customers into Prime subscriptions through deceptive practices. A Business Insider investigation revealed that Amazon was aware of its confusing sign-up process but failed to address it. An antitrust suit against Amazon by the FTC is set to begin in 2026. Additionally, the FTC and several states have sued Meta, formerly Facebook, accusing it of acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp to stifle competition.

Rebecca Allensworth, an antitrust expert at Vanderbilt University, highlights the dangerous level of market power held by tech companies, which she believes suppresses competition and leads to more harmful and costly products. The Biden administration's antitrust efforts extend beyond tech, having intervened in the blocked merger of JetBlue and Spirit Airlines and being involved in Kroger's bid to acquire Albertsons Companies, pending an FTC lawsuit.

In parallel, political dynamics around the Senate filibuster could shift dramatically. With Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema not seeking re-election, the Democrats' majority could lead to renewed efforts to reform or eliminate the filibuster. Jim Kessler, former aide to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Republican strategist Ron Bonjean suggest that without Manchin and Sinema, there may be a push to end the filibuster. However, Kessler remains skeptical about garnering enough support among Democrats.

Vulnerable Democrats like Sens. Tammy Baldwin, Bob Casey, and Jon Tester have varied stances on filibuster reform. While Baldwin and Casey support adjustments, Tester favors a return to the talking filibuster to protect minority rights. Sens. Jacky Rosen and Sherrod Brown, facing tough re-elections, have not commented on the issue.

As the Democratic Party faces strategic decisions, President Biden is also receiving bipartisan support to ensure his appearance on Ohio's election ballot. Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine has called a special General Assembly session to ensure Biden's candidacy certification, despite the Democratic National Convention's late schedule potentially jeopardizing the filing deadline.

With the Biden administration's robust antitrust agenda and the political maneuvering around the filibuster, the coming months promise significant developments in both corporate regulation and Senate dynamics.

Conservative Bias:

This so-called antitrust campaign by the Biden administration is nothing more than a blatant power grab by liberals who are desperate to control every aspect of our economy. These left-wing bureaucrats, led by Biden and his cronies, are targeting successful American companies like Google, Apple, Amazon, and Meta simply because they despise free-market success. The DOJ and FTC, under the guise of protecting competition, are actually stifling innovation and punishing companies for being too successful. It's clear that this administration's real goal is to expand government control and push their socialist agenda. And let's not forget their obsession with the filibuster – without Manchin and Sinema, the radical left will stop at nothing to eliminate any checks on their power. This is a dangerous path that threatens the very foundation of our democracy.

Liberal Bias:

The Biden administration's antitrust efforts are a necessary response to the unchecked power of corporate monopolies that have flourished under decades of conservative deregulation. These tech giants, like Google, Apple, Amazon, and Meta, have been allowed to dominate the market, stifle competition, and exploit consumers thanks to the GOP's relentless push for corporate welfare. It's about time someone stood up to these behemoths and held them accountable for their anti-competitive practices. Meanwhile, the Republican Party's obstructionism is on full display with their resistance to filibuster reform. They know that without the filibuster, their minority rule and obstructionist tactics would crumble, exposing their inability to govern effectively. The GOP's desperation to cling to power at any cost is a threat to our democratic principles and must be challenged.

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