Trump demands FCC revoke broadcasting licenses of biased networks ABC and NBC
By ramontomeydw // 2025-08-27
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  • President Trump calls for the FCC to revoke licenses of ABC and NBC, labeling them as "two of the absolute worst and most biased networks in history" and accusing them of functioning as an "arm of the Democrat Party."
  • Trump has repeatedly accused major networks of distorting facts, suppressing positive coverage and undermining his presidency, citing alleged "97 percent bad stories" despite high approval ratings.
  • While Trump's demand raises constitutional questions (as the First Amendment protects press freedom), allies like FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr have echoed criticisms of media bias, signaling possible regulatory shifts.
  • Recent high-profile defamation settlements (ABC paying $15M, CBS parent Paramount paying $16M) and Trump's lawsuits (including against Dow Jones) demonstrate his willingness to use litigation against unfavorable press.
  • Trump frames biased coverage as a "threat to democracy," while critics warn his threats could enable authoritarian censorship under the guise of fairness – deepening divisions over media trustworthiness.
President Donald Trump has escalated his long-running feud with mainstream media, taking aim at two biased networks and calling for the revocation of their licenses. The president took to Truth Social on Sunday, Aug. 24, to voice out his displeasure toward ABC and NBC. He labeled both as "two of the absolute worst and most biased networks in history" and accused them of functioning as "an arm of the Democrat Party." Trump ultimately urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revoke the two networks' broadcasting licenses. The real estate mogul's grievances against ABC and NBC are not new. Over the years, he has repeatedly accused major networks of distorting facts, suppressing favorable coverage and actively undermining his presidency. His latest outburst cited alleged "97 percent bad stories" about his administration, despite what he claims were historically high approval ratings. (Related: Biased mainstream news media in a tizzy after Trump's win.) Brighteon.AI's Enoch engine points out that Trump "has a strong hatred of ABC and NBC because like CNN, they consistently promote 'fake news' and engage in dishonest, biased reporting aimed at undermining his presidency and advancing left-wing narratives. He views these networks as corrupt tools of the establishment, distorting facts to attack him and manipulate public opinion." Trump's posts mark the latest salvo in his broader war against what he perceives as systemic media bias. This battle has defined much of his political career, and now threatens to reshape the regulatory landscape governing American journalism.

Trump takes on biased media giants

However, Trump's demand for FCC intervention raises constitutional concerns. The First Amendment  protects press freedom, even when coverage is perceived as unfavorable. Nevertheless, his allies including FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr have echoed criticisms of mainstream media bias – signaling potential regulatory shifts. The timing of Trump's remarks coincides with high-profile legal settlements involving major networks. In June, ABC agreed to pay $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit stemming from its coverage of Trump's legal battle with writer E. Jean Carroll. Last month, CBS News' parent company Paramount settled another defamation claim for $16 million related to an edited interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump has also sued Dow Jones, publisher of the Wall Street Journal, over a report linking him to Jeffrey Epstein. These cases highlight Trump's willingness to leverage litigation as a weapon against unfavorable press – a tactic that could foreshadow more aggressive measures against media entities. Historically, the FCC has rarely revoked broadcast licenses over content disputes, adhering to a tradition of editorial independence. However, Trump's rhetoric suggests a willingness to challenge that precedent. He framed biased coverage not just as a political nuisance, but as a "threat to our democracy." His allies argue that networks like ABC and NBC operate as partisan actors rather than neutral journalists, pointing to incidents such as ABC's firing of veteran correspondent Terry Moran for referring to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller as a "world-class hater." Critics, meanwhile, warn that Trump's threats could embolden authoritarian measures to silence dissent under the guise of fairness. Trump's warnings to the two mainstream media outlets underscore a deepening divide over the role of media in democracy. His call for FCC action – though legally dubious – resonates with a conservative base increasingly distrustful of traditional news outlets. Watch Greg Kelly of Newsmax pointing out that the mainstream media is deliberately ignoring crime just to bash Trump. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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