Former US President Donald Trump has accused ABC and NBC of being a ‘virtual arm of the Democratic Party,’ calling for the networks to be ‘made smaller’ amid his ongoing attacks on mainstream media. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed these networks are spreading ‘fake news’ and expanding the influence of ‘Radical Left’ outlets. This latest criticism comes as part of his broader efforts to limit media reach and control press coverage under his administration.
Trump’s post came in response to a Newsmax story claiming that Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr is moving to give television networks greater reach and advance a merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna Inc. The criticism has broadened beyond national broadcasters, with Trump renewing his call for the FCC to revoke broadcast licenses held by ABC, escalating a dispute that has simmered since his first term.
After late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel joked about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Carr threatened to review—and potentially revoke—the broadcast licenses of ABC-owned local stations and their affiliates. Trump last week renewed his call for the FCC to revoke ABC station licenses, prompting FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez to state that revoking licenses over a reporter’s question would not hold up legally, noting that networks do not hold licenses themselves and none of their station licenses are up for renewal soon.
The FCC, an independent agency, grants eight-year licenses to individual stations, not national networks. This legal distinction highlights the growing tension between Trump and the media, as he continues to push for greater control over press coverage and media expansion, despite potential legal challenges.