Overview

• Speaking to reporters, the president claimed network reporting on him is up to 97% negative and argued such coverage is not protected free speech because broadcasters use “free airwaves” provided by the government.
• He defended FCC Chair Brendan Carr after Carr warned ABC and its affiliates over Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks about the suspect in Charlie Kirk’s killing, a pressure campaign followed by Nexstar preemptions and ABC’s indefinite suspension of the show.
• Trump suggested broadcasters could lose licenses over critical coverage and said outlets that “make a great story bad” are acting “illegally,” escalating previous calls for regulatory consequences.
• In the Oval Office exchange, he berated ABC’s Jonathan Karl as “guilty” and “a terrible reporter,” while continuing to portray major networks as partisan against him.
• Legal analysts and civil-liberties advocates pointed to First Amendment risks and limited FCC authority over news content, as figures including Sen. Ted Cruz criticized Carr’s tactics and Carr hinted other programs could face scrutiny.