This Odd Lots podcast episode features an interview with Andrew Ferguson, the new FTC chair appointed by the Trump administration. The conversation centers on antitrust policy, exploring the differences and similarities between the Biden and Trump administrations' approaches. Ferguson clarifies that despite initial concerns about resource constraints, he intends to vigorously enforce antitrust laws, focusing on protecting consumers from monopolies and fraud, even maintaining existing merger guidelines for stability. He argues that a robust antitrust approach, focusing on broader consumer welfare than just price and output, can prevent the need for excessive regulation. The discussion also touches on the role of big tech platforms, censorship, and Section 230 reform.
