FCC's Carr Claims MSNBC Is Misleading the Public

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr used the social media platform X to criticize Comcast, the parent company of NBC News and MSNBC. 

In a post on X, Carr accused Comcast’s outlets, specifically referencing MSNBC, of misleading the public about a news story involving an individual named Abrego Garcia. Carr claimed that Comcast’s networks portrayed Garcia as a "law-abiding U.S. citizen" and a "Maryland man," while failing to correct or clarify the narrative when contradictory information emerged. He suggested that Comcast’s actions violated federal law, hinting at potential regulatory consequences for their "licensed operations."

Comcast outlets spent days misleading the American public—implying that Abrego Garcia was merely a law abiding U.S. citizen, just a regular “Maryland man.”

When the truth comes out, they ignore it.

Comcast knows that federal law requires its licensed operations to serve the… https://t.co/0sGZHQvp5r

— Brendan Carr (@BrendanCarrFCC) April 16, 2025

The move aligns with Carr’s broader agenda at the FCC, where he has taken an activist stance against media companies. Since assuming the chairmanship in January 2025, Carr has launched investigations into several media conglomerates, including Comcast, over their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, which he labels as "invidious forms of DEI discrimination." He has also revived complaints against networks like CBS, NBC, and ABC, often echoing Trump’s grievances about perceived media bias. For instance, Carr previously opened a probe into Comcast’s DEI practices and has threatened to block mergers involving companies with pro-diversity initiatives.

Carr’s criticisms of Comcast have drawn attention due to their alignment with Trump’s public attacks on the media. Trump has repeatedly called for punitive actions against Comcast, including forcing the company to pay "vast sums" for what he deems unfair coverage. Carr, however, has avoided directly addressing Trump’s specific demands when questioned, instead framing his actions as enforcing existing FCC regulations and civil rights laws.

The response from Comcast has been measured. In prior instances, such as the DEI probe, Comcast stated it would cooperate with the FCC and emphasized its commitment to integrity and respect for employees and customers.

Carr’s focus on Comcast has also raised concerns among free press advocates and Democrats, who argue that his actions threaten First Amendment protections. House Democrats have launched a probe into Carr’s investigations, calling them “sham” efforts to intimidate media outlets.