Hawley accuses the biggest social media companies of stifling right-wing fake news and conspiracy theories conservative voices, also criticised other sectors, like pharmaceuticals, which he said were too concentrated and held too much market power.

His new bill would effectively ban Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Facebook from any deals and would attempt to stop their platforms from favouring their own products over those of rivals.

Hawley’s bill tackles some of the same problems as an antitrust bill introduced by Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar in February and contains some similar measures.

Asked about Klobuchar’s bill, Hawley said: “I’m willing to work with her and anybody of any party and any background. I like a lot of what Senator Klobuchar has proposed.”

He described his bill as “significantly tougher”.

In the House of Representatives, Representative David Cicilline has said he plans to introduce a series of antitrust bills.

Hawley was also asked if he would support tech critic Lina Khan, a progressive who has been nominated to be a commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission, which works with the Justice Department to enforce antitrust law. Hawley said he was “very impressed” by her but added, “I have not made a final decision”.