President Donald Trump has posted on Truth Social, urging the FCC, led by his appointee Chairman Brendan Carr, to impose “maximum fines and punishment” on CBS News over two 60 Minutes segments—one discussing Ukraine and another addressing Greenland. Trump called the coverage “derogatory and defamatory,” labeling CBS “out of control” and suggesting they should lose their license, despite CBS’s network not being FCC-licensed (though its local stations are).
He’s also suing CBS for $20 billion, alleging deceptive editing in a pre-election Kamala Harris interview.
Critics, like political scientist Brendan Nyhan, see this as Trump pressuring loyalists to use state power against critical media, raising concerns about press freedom. The FCC’s authority here is limited—there’s no clear evidence of CBS violating regulations, and fines would likely face First Amendment challenges. Carr has opened inquiries into CBS and other outlets like ABC and NBC, aligning with Trump’s grievances, but no concrete actions have been reported as of April 14, 2025. CBS hasn’t commented directly on Trump’s latest claims but has denied bias in the past.
This fits a pattern: Trump’s push to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” also led to media disputes, like barring the Associated Press from the Oval Office for non-compliance. Meanwhile, Paramount Global, CBS’s parent, awaits FCC approval for a merger with Skydance Media, adding tension to the situation. Some conservative groups, like the Center for Individual Freedom, have even urged Carr to drop CBS probes, fearing regulatory overreach could backfire.
The debate hinges on whether this is legitimate oversight or an attempt to chill free speech. Posts on X reflect polarized sentiment—some call Trump’s moves authoritarian, others support his push against perceived media bias. No fines have been imposed yet, and any FCC action would likely spark legal battles.
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| Brendan Carr |
This fits a pattern: Trump’s push to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” also led to media disputes, like barring the Associated Press from the Oval Office for non-compliance. Meanwhile, Paramount Global, CBS’s parent, awaits FCC approval for a merger with Skydance Media, adding tension to the situation. Some conservative groups, like the Center for Individual Freedom, have even urged Carr to drop CBS probes, fearing regulatory overreach could backfire.
The debate hinges on whether this is legitimate oversight or an attempt to chill free speech. Posts on X reflect polarized sentiment—some call Trump’s moves authoritarian, others support his push against perceived media bias. No fines have been imposed yet, and any FCC action would likely spark legal battles.
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