Overview
- FCC Chair Brendan Carr said regulators will examine cases where local stations decline programs for public‑interest reasons and whether networks can penalize them.
- The White House labeled ABC News a "democratic propaganda" operation, and Trump threatened the network's broadcast license after the exchange.
- Trump rejected U.S. intelligence assessments on Jamal Khashoggi's murder, asserting Mohammed bin Salman knew nothing and calling ABC "fake news."
- ABC News declined to comment as the inquiry begins, which could carry regulatory and commercial implications for network–affiliate relationships.
- The clash extends a pattern that included Disney's temporary September pullback of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and a $15 million December settlement with Trump's presidential library.