FCC's Carr Warns Broadcasters of 'Fake' Polls

FCC Chair Brendan Carr warned local broadcasters Wednesday to beware of “fake polls,” without identifying which ones, as multiple reputable surveys showed Democrats poised for major midterm gains and President Trump at a new record-low approval rating.

Carr, a close Trump ally, posted the advisory to FCC-licensed stations the same day two respected national polls recorded the latest low for the president. The warning followed by one day an admission from a self-described polling firm that it was a “fictional entity” that had fabricated data and misled news outlets.

Carr’s X post did not specify the polls he considered bogus, and he did not respond to a CNN request for comment that afternoon, leaving the target unclear. A group of former FCC officials described the message as “part of an accelerating White House strategy to tilt the electoral playing field in the President’s favor and deny election results that don’t go his way.” They added that “the FCC has zero authority to dictate editorial decisions.”

Congress has barred the FCC from suppressing any point of view. The agency’s role is limited to licensing local radio and TV stations and enforcing basic standards—powers Carr has repeatedly used to pressure broadcasters. Press advocacy groups said the post conflicted with the First Amendment.

“Literally every time he attacks the press, it’s because of reporting that was unfavorable to his boss, Donald Trump, whose gilded face he’s been known to wear as a lapel pin,” said Seth Stern, chief of advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation.