The article also highlights the potential influence of Elon Musk, who has aligned himself with Trump and has been promised a role in a "Department of Government Efficiency". Musk's influence could be felt in areas such as AI policy, broadband policy, and electric vehicle policies. However, the article concludes that the next four years of tech policy under Trump will be unpredictable and erratic, requiring support from the courts and Congress for any significant changes.
Key takeaways:
- Donald Trump's second term as president in 2025 will likely see significant changes in tech industry regulation, with a less constrained AI industry and potential personal grievances influencing antitrust enforcement.
- Trump's stance on TikTok has been inconsistent, and while he has recently opposed a ban, the law doesn't give him much room to maneuver if the DC Circuit upholds the ban.
- Trump's trade war with China is expected to continue, with potential tariffs on goods imported from China impacting tech companies that rely on Chinese components.
- Content moderation policies could change under Trump's administration, with potential reworking of the Section 230 liability shield to allow punishment of companies for moderation decisions.