Trump Reported Leaning Toward Gavin Wax For FCC Post

Nathan Simington, a Republican FCC Commissioner appointed by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate in December 2020, announced his resignation from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on June 4, 2025. Gavin Wax, Simington’s 31-year-old Chief of Staff, has been reported as a leading candidate to replace him as an FCC Commissioner, potentially becoming the youngest commissioner in U.S. history if nominated and confirmed. Sources close to the FCC indicate that President Trump is seriously considering Wax for the role due to his strong conservative stance on tech and media policy and his close ties to Trump-era policy figures and Republican leadership. Wax’s nomination would require Senate confirmation

\Simington's departure, alongside Democratic Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, left the FCC with only two commissioners—Chairman Brendan Carr (Republican) and Anna Gomez (Democrat)—below the three-person quorum required for significant policy actions. Simington’s term had expired in 2024, but he was eligible to remain until the end of 2025. He cited a desire to pursue “other professional opportunities” without elaborating further.

Wax was appointed Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to Simington in April 2025, bringing over a decade of experience in media, political communications, and public affairs. A New York native, he is best known for his leadership of the New York Young Republican Club (NYYRC), where he served as president until early 2025, transforming it into a prominent platform for Trump-aligned conservatism.

Wax has co-authored op-eds with Simington, including pieces in The Daily Caller and IJR, calling for FCC reforms aligned with Trump’s agenda, such as streamlining operations, reducing subsidies like those for outdated telephone transcription services, and adopting technology-neutral regulations to ensure fairness between traditional and digital media. They have pushed for the FCC to align with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut bureaucratic inefficiencies. Wax’s vocal support for “retribution” against perceived media bias and his ties to MAGA figures like Steve Bannon and Kari Lake have made him a polarizing figure, with critics like Mother Jones and Daily Dot highlighting his past associations with far-right groups and controversial statements, such as praising the Proud Boys in 2018.