# Trump Might Steer DOJ Away from Dividing Google: An In-Depth Analysis
As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, former President Donald Trump has generated buzz by indicating that breaking up Google’s search operation may not be the most favorable move for the U.S. economy or its national security. His statements, made at a Chicago gathering, arrive at a pivotal moment as the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) progresses with its antitrust case against Google. The DOJ is weighing various solutions to tackle Google’s purported monopoly in the search sector, including a potential separation of the tech behemoth.
Trump’s statements have ignited discussions about whether his re-election could affect the DOJ’s position on this issue, particularly in light of his past critiques and occasional support for Google. This article delves into Trump’s changing dynamics with Google, the potential repercussions of his presidency on the DOJ’s case, and the wider implications for the technology sector and competition with China.
## Trump’s Perspective on Google: A Change in Attitude
At the Chicago event, Trump asserted that breaking apart Google might undermine the U.S. in its rivalry with China. “At this moment, China looks up to Google,” Trump remarked, suggesting that dismantling the tech giant could empower China and weaken America’s tech superiority. He highlighted the necessity of having “great companies” to compete globally, particularly concerning artificial intelligence (AI).
Trump’s statements followed closely after the DOJ introduced potential remedies in its antitrust action against Google, including the breakup option. Yet, Trump expressed doubt regarding this route, stating, “I’m not a supporter of Google. They treat me poorly. But do you intend to wreck the company by going that route? What you could do, without a breakup, is ensure it remains fair.”
This represents a significant alteration in Trump’s discourse. Throughout his campaign, he was vehemently critical of Google, accusing it of bias against him and pledging to limit its influence. On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump even vowed to prosecute Google “to the fullest extent.” However, as the election drew closer, his tone shifted, seeming to align with Google’s assertion that a breakup could harm American interests in the global technology arena, especially concerning China.
## The DOJ’s Antitrust Action Against Google
The DOJ’s antitrust case against Google, initiated in 2019 during Trump’s initial term, focuses on claims that the corporation has sustained an illegal monopoly in the search domain. The DOJ has contended that Google exploits its search dominance to suppress competition and disadvantage rivals. Among the proposed solutions is to carve out segments of Google’s organization, such as its Chrome browser or Android operating system, to prevent the company from using these products to uphold its search monopoly.
However, the DOJ has yet to pledge to a definite course of action. In recent documentation, the DOJ stressed that it remains open to various remedies and retains “the right to introduce or withdraw potential proposed remedies.” This leaves room for other solutions that may not necessitate a breakup.
A major concern revolves around whether Google’s influence over products like Chrome and Android affords it an unjust edge in search and associated markets, including emergent technologies like AI. The DOJ has indicated that spinning off these products could stimulate competition, but Google has cautioned that such a decision might lead to unforeseen ramifications, such as elevated costs for consumers and disruptions for small businesses relying on Google’s open-source systems.
## Could Trump Affect the DOJ’s Case?
With Trump anticipated to reclaim office prior to the DOJ’s litigation reaching its conclusion, many are curious whether he might influence the department away from advocating for a breakup. Experts suggest that it would be atypical for a president to meddle in ongoing cases, yet Trump has a history of challenging conventions.
Antitrust specialist George Hay informed *Business Insider* that while it’s uncommon for a president to impact ongoing cases, “Trump is somewhat of a wild card.” Hay remarked that antitrust matters generally adhere to a legal trajectory independent of political intervention, but Trump’s unpredictable behavior makes it hard to discount the chance of interference.
Trump may also feel a degree of ownership regarding the DOJ’s investigation into Google, given that it commenced during his presidency. His relationship with Google has been marked by friction, dating back to 2016 when he accused the company of manipulating search results to favor his rival, Hillary Clinton. These claims persisted during his presidency, with Trump routinely asserting that Google acted against him.
Despite this, there were instances where Trump seemed to become more receptive to Google. For instance, during his first term, he stepped back from probing Google’s suspected connections to China’s military after meeting with CEO Sundar Pichai. More recently, Trump mentioned that Pichai acknowledged him for trending on Google during a campaign event at McDonald’s, implying that their relationship might not be entirely antagonistic.
## The Larger Consequences: U.S.-China Rivalry
