Marketplace Tech · Friday, October 2, 2026
The Trump administration's influence over the FTC, now comprised of only Republican commissioners, is seen by some as a strategic tool. The FTC's investigation into AI firms could be interpreted as the administration exerting leverage to ensure compliance with its preferred AI safety measures.
“This formerly five-member body now just has two members. They're both Republicans. So this is really, it really is an extension of President Trump in a way that it wasn't an extension of the presidency before.”
“One way to look at this, you know, President Trump loves to negotiate. He loves to exert leverage. One way to look at this is that the FTC opening an inquiry into these AI firms”
“DC is his way of holding up that stick, you know, that is saying, look, if you guys don't get on board with what I want, I'll have my FTC give you a really hard time.”