Washington, D.C. — The American Economic Liberties Project released the following statement after Microsoft filed its response to the Federal Trade Commission’s lawsuit to block the company’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

“Does Microsoft President Brad Smith agree with the extremist argument that the Federal Trade Commission is unconstitutional? That’s what his rebuttal to the FTC’s case against Microsoft’s takeover of Activision argues. Reporters and lawmakers should start asking Mr. Smith if he believes the administrative state should be destroyed,” said Sarah Miller, Executive Director of the American Economic Liberties Project.

“Smith is waging a sophisticated political campaign to convince elites that he’s a reasonable, progressive businessman. Just yesterday — the same day Microsoft filed its extremist rebuttal — he told the New York Times he’ll continue to pursue a ‘nice guy’ strategy as he seeks to close his acquisition of Activision,” said Miller.

“But Microsoft’s use of this extremely dangerous argument in a conservative judicial environment makes clear he’s no different than any other monopolist,” added Miller. “In pursuit of profit and power, Mr. Smith seems keen to risk — even fight for — the destruction of core democratic institutions and the elimination of the responsibilities to protect the public that Congress has granted them.”

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