Former President Donald Trump’s return to power has raised concerns for Google as his administration may not provide relief in the ongoing antitrust lawsuit against the tech giant. While Silicon Valley giants may benefit from Trump’s more hands-off approach to tech competition overall, experts believe that Google may not see any reprieve from the federal government’s aggressive enforcement efforts. The lawsuit, which alleges that Google holds an illegal monopoly in the online search market, has been a significant point of contention during the trials.
The trial for Google’s search monopoly case started last year, with the federal government arguing that Google used illegal contracts with device makers to push its products onto consumers. This led to a ruling against Google in October, prompting a second trial to determine potential remedies, such as banning contracts or breaking up the company. Trump, as president, has the authority to influence the DOJ’s actions in the case, but experts believe he may be hesitant to intervene due to his personal grievances with Google and concerns about potential political repercussions.
The ongoing antitrust case against Google involves its advertising tech business and allegations of market abuse that have yet to be resolved. While Google maintains that there is healthy competition in the market, the government argues that Google’s actions have driven up ad prices and harmed competitors. The questions surrounding Trump’s antitrust approach come amidst his strong support from Silicon Valley, including key figures like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, who have made efforts to build relationships with the former president.
Despite attempts by tech leaders to make inroads with Trump, experts believe that his focus on addressing big tech’s influence may not change due to the preferences of his working-class base for a crackdown on the industry. The possibility of a Google breakup remains on the table as one of many remedies being considered by the Justice Department, with experts suggesting that it may be a negotiating tactic rather than a realistic outcome. As Trump’s administration prepares for potential changes in antitrust policy, the future of the case against Google remains uncertain.
