Disney's ABC Accuses The FCC Of Intimidation

ABC accused the FCC on Thursday of launching an unprecedented intimidation campaign aimed at punishing the network for news coverage disliked by the Trump administration, after the agency ordered early reviews of licenses for eight Disney-owned stations.

Walt Disney-owned ABC said the FCC’s threat to revoke the stations’ broadcast licenses serves as a warning to other media companies: accommodate the administration’s preferred view of news coverage or face consequences. 

“The retaliation against ABC is a signal to every media company in the country: accommodate the administration’s view of what news coverage should look like or pay the price,” ABC stated in a filing. 

The agency’s objective, it added, is “a media industry too fearful of official reprisal to report the news freely.”

Brendan Carr

FCC Chair Brendan Carr ordered the early reviews in April, even though the stations’ license renewals were not due for consideration until October 2028. The FCC had not ordered such an early review in more than 50 years. The move came a day after President Trump urged ABC to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. Carr could take further action after a final public comment deadline on August 5. He did not immediately comment Thursday.

ABC reported that more than 150,000 comments have been filed, with over 95% supporting the stations. Numerous local officials and groups in the eight states have also filed in support. “From its earliest days, this administration has made clear its intent to punish ABC for its news coverage and to create a chilling effect on ABC and others,” the network said.

The FCC has said the reviews stem from a year-long investigation into whether Disney’s diversity policies amounted to unlawful discrimination—an allegation the company denies. Carr opened that probe in March 2025 and later said Disney’s submitted documents were insufficient. Carr and Disney did not immediately comment on the related developments.Broadcast stations require FCC licenses to use the public airwaves. 

License revocations are exceptionally rare, but critics note that the mere prospect can pressure broadcasters and raise concerns about government interference in editorial decisions. Networks retain broad First Amendment rights over programming.

Trump has repeatedly pressed regulators to act against broadcasters he views as unfair, including demanding in November that the FCC revoke ABC licenses after criticizing an ABC News correspondent’s question to Saudi Arabia’s crown prince about the 2018 killing of a Washington Post columnist. 

The FCC is also examining ABC’s daytime talk show “The View” over potential equal-opportunity rules for political candidates.