Cat Zakrzewski

Washington, D.C.

National technology policy reporter

Education: Northwestern University, BS in journalism

Cat Zakrzewski is a national technology policy reporter, tracking global efforts to regulate the tech industry. She focuses on AI policy, as well as the legal and legislative battles over free speech online. Zakrzewski has chronicled Washington's clashes with the tech industry, reporting on social media, privacy and antitrust issues. She previously served as the first anchor of The Technology 202 newsletter, The Washington Post's daily guide to the relationship between the tech industry and regulators. In that role, she covered the central role tech issues played in the pandemic, elections and
Latest from Cat Zakrzewski

As his power grows, D.C. wonders: How do you lobby a man like Elon Musk?

Musk has flaunted his closeness with Trump, but his unconventional approach leaves few obvious ways to reach him.

December 1, 2024
President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk before a test launch of the SpaceX Starship rocket on Nov. 19 in Boca Chica, Texas.

FTC launches antitrust investigation into Microsoft as Biden era ends

The Federal Trade Commission sent a broad request to the tech giant asking for information on its cloud, software and AI businesses.

November 27, 2024
Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella addresses attendees at the Microsoft Ignite conference in Chicago on Nov. 19.

Trump’s Cabinet: Loyalists, competing ideologies and government skeptics

Still critical of some who served in his first term, Donald Trump has assembled a Cabinet of allies loyal to his agenda.

November 26, 2024
President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Nov. 13.

Meta gains steam in its push to make Apple, Google verify users’ ages

The Washington Post’s essential guide to tech policy news.

November 21, 2024
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) is the top Republican of the upper chamber's antitrust subcommittee.

Trump, triumphant, returns to Madison Square Garden for UFC event

The president-elect’s visit to UFC 309 — and the site of his inflammatory Oct. 27 rally, where a comedian called Puerto Rico an ‘island of garbage’ — was steeped in symbolism.

November 16, 2024
President-elect Donald Trump arrives at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The disappointing history of government efficiency commissions like DOGE

Since at least the administration of Theodore Roosevelt, presidents have been appointing commissions to reform the government. Most have come up short.

November 15, 2024

The FTC is preparing to investigate Microsoft’s cloud business

The agency’s antitrust investigation continues Biden administration scrutiny of Big Tech as the industry waits to discover what policies Donald Trump adopts.

November 14, 2024
A Microsoft logo on a store in Manhattan.

Trump aides explore plans to boost Musk effort by wresting control from Congress

The White House could challenge or seek to change a 1974 law that blocks presidents from choosing which programs to fund.

November 13, 2024
Tech billionaire Elon Musk listens to Donald Trump during a campaign event last month in Butler, Pennsylvania. President-elect Trump announced Tuesday night that Musk will co-chair an outside panel to cut federal spending, known as the Department of Government Efficiency.

Inside the online offensive that turned out a new generation of men for Trump

Through TikTok posts, memes and podcasts, the Trump campaign harnessed mounting angst among Gen Z men to bring young voters to his White House comeback.

November 10, 2024

AI didn’t sway the election, but it deepened the partisan divide

Artificial intelligence was predicted to disrupt the 2024 election. It ended up shaking people’s faith in truth rather than influencing their vote.

November 9, 2024
A cardboard cutout of Donald Trump is displayed in September in a phone booth at the River City Resale store in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.