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Squawk Pod

An FDA Resignation & An M&A Outlook with Makan Delrahim 3/31/25

Mar 31, 2025
Makan Delrahim, former antitrust assistant attorney general, shares insights on the future of mergers and acquisitions under Trump's administration, emphasizing the cautious strategies businesses are adopting amid regulatory scrutiny. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former FDA commissioner, discusses the resignation of the FDA's top vaccine official amid rising anti-vaccine sentiments and the U.S. measles outbreak. They highlight the urgent need to restore public trust in health systems and examine the complex interplay between politics and market dynamics.
38:52

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The resignation of the FDA's top vaccine official highlights the urgent need to restore public trust in vaccines amidst rising misinformation.
  • Makan Delrahim's insights into the anticipated surge in M&A activity reveal that regulatory scrutiny will remain stringent under the second Trump administration.

Deep dives

Antitrust Enforcement Under Trump 2.0

The episode addresses the potential for robust antitrust enforcement during the second Trump administration, as articulated by Macon Delrahim, the former assistant attorney general for antitrust. Delrahim emphasizes that actions will remain strictly regulated, dispelling any expectations of a lapse in enforcement due to political support. He notes that while merger and acquisition activity is anticipated to surge, regulatory scrutiny remains high, with federal agencies maintaining a watchful eye over corporate transactions. Further, the podcast contemplates the ongoing discussions around possibly consolidating antitrust functions within government agencies to enhance efficiency and reduce confusion for businesses navigating regulatory landscapes.

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