Trump Suggests Revoking Local Broadcast Licenses

President Donald Trump floated the idea of revoking licenses for local broadcast networks that air content critical of him, intensifying his ongoing feud with major media outlets. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump criticized networks for what he perceives as biased coverage, specifically targeting evening shows that "hit Trump." 

He claimed, "They’re licensed. They’re not allowed to do that. They’re an arm of the Democrat party," alleging that networks operate with a partisan agenda.

Trump's remarks followed ABC's indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! earlier that day, prompted by host Jimmy Kimmel's comments mocking Vice President JD Vance and Trump in connection to the death of pro-Trump activist Charlie Kirk. Trump pointed to a supposed statistic that "the networks were 97% against me," adding, "I won all seven swing states, the popular vote, whatever," despite what he described as overwhelmingly negative press. 

President Donald Trump told reporters that the FCC should consider revoking broadcast licenses for networks airing mostly negative coverage of him. pic.twitter.com/XPk7RncxWu

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) September 19, 2025

He suggested that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, whom he praised as a "patriot" and "tough guy," could oversee potential license revocations, stating, "It will be up to Brendan Carr. We’ll have to see."

Earlier that day, at the Axios Media Trends Live event, Carr endorsed ABC’s decision to pull Kimmel’s show, arguing that broadcasters have an "obligation to operate in the public interest." He hinted at further FCC actions, including fines or license reviews, for content deemed inflammatory, a move critics like FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez called a "weaponization" of the agency’s authority to suppress free speech. 

Why It Matters   Trump’s suggestion to revoke broadcast licenses marks a significant escalation in his administration’s efforts to pressure media, raising alarms about First Amendment violations.