Overview

• Late Sunday, President Trump posted on Truth Social that ABC and NBC give him “97% BAD STORIES,” called them an “arm of the Democrat Party,” and said he would favor revoking their licenses or imposing license fees.
• National networks are not licensed by the FCC; only local broadcast stations are, and experts note content-based penalties would face steep First Amendment hurdles and protracted legal challenges.
• Ars Technica reports that midterm license revocations are considered effectively impossible and that no major TV station licenses come up for renewal until 2028.
• FCC Chair Brendan Carr has opened reviews into Comcast’s DEI programs and NBC affiliate relationships and has said the agency could take a “fresh look” at public‑interest obligations that, in extreme cases, can affect licenses.
• Trump’s push follows high-profile settlements with major outlets, including $16 million from CBS ahead of FCC approval of a Paramount–Skydance merger and $15 million from ABC, fueling concerns about regulatory pressure chilling news coverage.