The fragile bipartisan alliance aimed at breaking up Big Tech is facing a significant threat from President Trump's chaotic governance, which is undermining the regulatory agencies and the legal profession. This development has sparked concerns about the future of antitrust reform, as the movement's success relies heavily on a robust and independent government.

The recent Little Tech Competition Summit in Washington, D.C. brought together an unlikely group of allies, including Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), and former Federal Trade Commission (FTC) chair Lina Khan. The event highlighted the growing consensus on the need to regulate Big Tech, with speakers emphasizing the importance of competitive tech markets. However, the mood was less triumphant at the American Bar Association's annual spring antitrust meeting, where attendees expressed concerns about Trump's dismantling of regulatory agencies and attacks on the legal profession.

Khan, a key figure in the antitrust movement, raised questions about the commitment of her Republican allies to the cause. She argued that the Trump administration's efforts to weaken the government and the administrative state are in direct conflict with the goal of regulating Big Tech. "If you want to govern in ways that check the power of Big Tech or other monopolists, you need a government," Khan said. "And if you are simultaneously trying to dismantle the government or weaken it, or take apart the administrative state, there's a real tension between that project and wanting to take on monopolies."

The tension between the Trump administration and the antitrust movement was further highlighted by the recent firings of two Democratic FTC commissioners. Khan denounced the move, calling it a blow to the causes of regulating Big Tech and promoting competitive markets. Her Republican successor, Andrew Ferguson, defended the firings, sparking concerns about the independence of the FTC.

The collaboration between Trump and Silicon Valley has also raised eyebrows. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was recently spotted in the West Wing, reportedly trying to persuade the administration to drop the upcoming antitrust trial against his company. This development has led to questions about the Trump administration's commitment to regulating Big Tech, despite its tough rhetoric on the issue.

The American Bar Association's annual spring antitrust meeting, typically a key event for antitrust attorneys and regulators, was marked by a sense of foreboding. The absence of top US federal enforcers, including Ferguson and Justice Department counterpart Gail Slater, was seen as a sign of the Trump administration's disregard for the rule of law and the independence of regulatory agencies.

Despite the challenges facing the antitrust movement, some speakers at the Little Tech Summit and the American Bar Association's meeting expressed optimism about the potential for bipartisan cooperation. Rebecca Slaughter, one of the two commissioners fired by Trump, received a warm reception from attendees when she spoke about standing up for democratic principles. "I don't think this is an antitrust ideology question. I think it's sort of an institutions of government, rule of law question," Slaughter said. "And that should be an area where we can find a lot of common ground."

As the antitrust movement navigates the uncertain landscape of Trump's governance, one thing is clear: the fate of Big Tech regulation hangs in the balance. Will the bipartisan alliance hold steady, or will Trump's chaos ultimately derail the effort to break up Big Tech? Only time will tell.