US President Donald Trump has accused national broadcasters ABC and NBC of spreading ‘fake news’ and acting as ‘virtual arms of the Democratic Party,’ intensifying his long-standing criticism of the media. The remarks, posted on his Truth Social platform, come as part of a broader campaign against mainstream media, which he claims routinely distorts coverage to favor his political opponents. Trump called for the networks to be made smaller, citing concerns over their growing influence and alleged alignment with left-leaning news outlets.
His post was in response to a Newsmax story suggesting that Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr is pushing for greater reach for television networks and a merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna Inc. Trump has escalated his attacks on the media in recent weeks, even as his administration has moved to restrict press access and tighten control over coverage. This has extended beyond national broadcasters, with Carr threatening to review and potentially revoke the broadcast licenses of ABC-owned local stations and their affiliates after late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel joked about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Trump last week renewed his call for the FCC to revoke broadcast licenses held by ABC, escalating a dispute that has simmered since his first term. The latest clash followed an exchange with an ABC News reporter pressing him on his handling of files related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, prompting Trump to accuse the network of pushing politically motivated narratives. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez said last week that revoking broadcast 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.
Asked about Trump’s demand to pull ABC station licenses, FCC head Carr reiterated his call to strengthen public-interest standards for broadcasters, stating the commission remained ‘open-minded.’ The FCC, an independent agency, grants eight-year licenses to individual stations, not national networks. This latest development underscores the growing tension between Trump’s administration and the mainstream media, with the potential implications for media freedom and regulatory oversight in the United States.