US President Donald Trump has accused national broadcasters ABC and NBC of spreading ‘fake news,’ calling for the networks to be ‘made smaller,’ and characterizing them as a ‘virtual arm of the Democrat Party.’ His comments are part of a recurring campaign against mainstream media, which he asserts is biased toward his political opponents. The remarks were made in response to a Newsmax story suggesting Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr is considering steps that could lead to media consolidation. Trump’s demand for the FCC to limit the expansion of left-leaning news outlets underscores his broader campaign to diminish the influence of media outlets he perceives as biased.
Trump’s post came in reaction to a Newsmax report claiming that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is moving to grant television networks greater reach and advance a merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna Inc. Over the past months, Trump has escalated his long-running attacks on the news media, even as his administration seeks to restrict press access and exert tighter control over coverage. The criticism has expanded beyond national broadcasters. After late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel quipped 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 broadcast licenses held by ABC, escalating a dispute that has simmered since his first term. The latest clash followed a question from an ABC News reporter pressing him on his handling of files related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein—an exchange that prompted 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 repeated his call to strengthen public-interest standards for broadcasters, stating the commission remains ‘open-minded.’ The FCC, an independent agency, grants eight-year licenses to individual stations, not national networks.