Five U.S. Senators—Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR)—have addressed a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan. They are seeking information regarding any potential settlement discussions held between these companies and the Trump administration. The Senators are particularly interested in whether Google may have received beneficial treatment in ongoing antitrust lawsuits as part of this settlement, cautioning that this could be interpreted as a form of illegal bribery.
The settlement in question stems from a lawsuit filed by Trump in 2021 following his suspension from YouTube. The legal basis of the lawsuit has come under scrutiny, as courts generally affirm social media companies’ rights to ban users. The deal is notable, as Google’s parent company stands to gain significantly from favorable relations with Trump.
Currently, Google is involved in various antitrust lawsuits, including a case regarding its monopoly in the ad tech sector. The Department of Justice has suggested that a major breakup of Google’s business model is necessary to address this issue. Another ongoing search antitrust suit is also pending, where the remedies proposed have been less severe than those originally sought by the Biden administration, leaving room for potential settlement.
The letter from the Senators emphasizes the public’s right to know if the YouTube settlement could affect the Trump DOJ’s willingness to appeal for stricter remedies against Google. It raises concerns that a settlement perceived as legally questionable might place the company and its executives in breach of both federal and state laws regarding bribery and unfair competition.
Moreover, the majority of the $22 million payment from YouTube is intended for the construction of a new White House ballroom. Trump is reportedly planning a fundraising dinner for this project soon. The Senators had previously warned the companies about the implications of settling for favorable treatment and are now investigating the truthfulness of Google’s assertions that no negotiations linked to such settlements took place.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/policy/800193/google-youtube-senators-letter-warren-wyden-bribe