US President Donald Trump has accused national broadcasters ABC and NBC of spreading ‘fake news’ and acting as an ‘arm of the Democratic Party.’
Trump’s comments represent the latest in a series of escalations against mainstream media, which he has consistently accused of distorting coverage in favor of his political opponents. In a post on his Truth Social platform, the former president called for television networks to be curtailed, citing the growing influence of so-called ‘left-leaning’ news outlets. He wrote, "If this would also allow the Radical Left Networks to ‘enlarge,’ I would not be happy. ABC & NBC, in particular, are a disaster – A VIRTUAL ARM OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY. They should be viewed as an illegal campaign to the Radical Left. NO EXPANSION OF THE FAKE NEWS NETWORKS. If anything, make them SMALLER!"
The remarks come in response to a Newsmax story claiming that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is pushing for greater reach for television networks and advancing a merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna Inc. Trump’s attacks on the media have intensified in recent weeks, as his administration seeks to restrict press access and exert more control over news coverage. This follows a broader pattern of criticism, including a dispute over potential FCC actions regarding network expansion and broadcast licenses.
Following a joke by late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Carr had previously threatened to review – and potentially revoke – the broadcast licenses of ABC-owned local stations and their affiliates. Trump has renewed his calls for the FCC to revoke ABC’s broadcast licenses, escalating a long-standing dispute that has simmered since his first term in office. The latest clashes follow a question from an ABC News reporter on his handling of files related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, an exchange that led Trump to accuse the network of pushing politically motivated narratives.
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez recently stated that revoking broadcast licenses over a reporter’s question would not hold up legally, noting that networks themselves do not hold licenses and none of their station licenses are up for renewal. FCC head Brendan Carr, when asked about Trump’s demands, reiterated his call to strengthen public-interest standards for broadcasters, insisting the commission remains ‘open-minded.’ The FCC, an independent agency, grants eight-year licenses to individual stations, not national networks.