President Donald Trump has once again targeted major US news networks, accusing ABC and NBC of being ‘virtual arms of the Democratic Party’ and demanding they be ‘made smaller’ to curb their growing influence. The comments, posted on his Truth Social platform, align with his long-standing criticism of mainstream media, which he has repeatedly accused of spreading ‘fake news’ and prioritizing the interests of his political opponents.
Trump’s latest outburst followed a recent news story claiming that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering allowing television networks to expand, potentially enabling a merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna Inc. The president argued that this expansion could be used to further the agenda of the ‘Radical Left,’ and he called for stricter measures to limit the reach of these networks. ‘If this would also allow the Radical Left Networks to ‘enlarge,’ I would not be happy,’ he wrote, adding that ABC and NBC ‘should be viewed as an illegal campaign to the Radical Left.’
Despite the recent rhetoric, the FCC, an independent agency, grants eight-year licenses to individual stations, not national networks. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez recently clarified that revoking broadcast licenses over a reporter’s question would not hold up legally, noting that networks do not hold licenses themselves and that none of their station licenses are up for renewal soon.
The president’s criticisms of the media have intensified in recent weeks. In addition to targeting ABC and NBC, Trump has also criticized late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel for joking about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has threatened to investigate this incident, which could lead to the potential revocation of ABC-owned local stations’ broadcast licenses. These developments underline the broader dispute over media influence and control, with Trump insisting that the mainstream media should be held accountable for its perceived political bias.