Trump Announces New FTC Chair and Greece Ambassador Nominees

President-elect Donald Trump announced several key appointments on Tuesday. He chose Andrew Ferguson to lead the Federal Trade Commission, Kimberly Guilfoyle as the ambassador to Greece, and Tom Barrack as the ambassador to Turkey.

Ferguson, currently an FTC commissioner, will succeed Lina Khan, whose tough stance against large corporations drew criticism from Wall Street and Silicon Valley. Khan’s actions included blocking major acquisitions and filing lawsuits against companies like Amazon and Meta for alleged anti-competitive practices.

“Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump stated on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.”

Barrack, a prominent financier, has a long-standing relationship with Trump, dating back to the 1980s. He faced charges related to lobbying for the United Arab Emirates but was acquitted in 2022.

Trump described Barrack as a “well-respected and experienced voice of reason.”

Guilfoyle, a former prosecutor and television personality, played a significant role in Trump’s 2020 campaign fundraising. Trump called her a “close friend and ally,” highlighting her “sharp intellect” as a key qualification. Her fiancé, Don Jr., also publicly endorsed her appointment.

“I am so proud of Kimberly. She loves America and she always has wanted to serve the country as an Ambassador. She will be an amazing leader for America First,” Don Jr. posted.

Senate approval is required for the ambassadorial nominations.

Guilfoyle expressed her honor at the nomination in a social media post, stating her intention to seek Senate confirmation.

Trump also announced the appointments of Jacob Helberg as undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment, and Dan Bishop as deputy director for budget at the Office of Budget and Management.

Khan’s replacement at the FTC is expected to lead to a less aggressive approach to antitrust enforcement. The incoming chair is anticipated to appoint new leadership within the agency’s antitrust and consumer protection divisions.

“These changes likely will make the FTC more favorable to business than it has been in recent years, though the extent to which is to be determined,” noted Anthony DiResta, a consumer protection attorney at Holland & Knight.

Deals previously blocked under the Biden administration may be reconsidered under Trump’s leadership.

For instance, the proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons, temporarily halted by court order, could be revisited. The FTC had sued to block this $24.6 billion merger, citing anti-competitive concerns. The companies involved argue the merger would enhance their competitiveness and benefit consumers.

One judge indicated the FTC was likely to succeed in its administrative challenge to the merger.

However, given public concerns about grocery prices, the Trump administration might not completely abandon the FTC’s efforts, according to some experts.

The FTC’s scrutiny of Big Tech companies might also continue, especially considering Republican concerns about alleged censorship of conservative viewpoints. Some within Trump’s circle have even shown previous support for Khan’s approach to Big Tech regulation.

—Rugaber reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in New York and Colleen Long in Washington contributed to this report.