Trump Threatens TV Networks with License Loss for Anti-Trump Coverage

Trump speaks during a Get Out The Vote campaign rally at Coastal Carolina University on Feb. 10, 2024, in Conway, South Carolina. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Washington, D.C. – September 19, 2025 - In a sharp escalation of his ongoing feud with mainstream media, President Donald Trump suggested Thursday that television networks critical of him could face revocation of their broadcast licenses by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The remarks, delivered aboard Air Force One en route to a campaign event in Pennsylvania, came just one day after ABC indefinitely suspended late-night host Jimmy Kimmel amid backlash over comments linking conservative activist Charlie Kirk's alleged killer to the MAGA movement.

"When you have a network and you have evening shows, and all they do is hit Trump," the president told reporters, his voice rising with familiar indignation. "They're giving me all this bad press, and they're getting a license. I would think maybe their license should be taken away." Trump specifically called out late-night programs, claiming they provide "97% negative" coverage and violate broadcasting standards. "They're licensed. They're not allowed to do that," he added, referencing hosts like Kimmel and CBS's Stephen Colbert as prime examples.

The controversy traces back to Tuesday's fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, a prominent conservative organization. Authorities have charged 28-year-old activist Elena Vasquez with first-degree murder, alleging the killing was motivated by political differences. During Wednesday's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the host quipped that the suspect "might have been inspired by too many MAGA rallies," drawing immediate outrage from Trump allies who labeled it "incitement to violence."

Hours later, ABC announced the suspension, citing "review of recent episodes for compliance with FCC guidelines." FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee and vocal critic of media bias, had earlier hinted at regulatory scrutiny, telling Fox News that ABC's decision "may not be the last shoe to drop." Trump praised the move, calling Carr "a patriot" who could handle any further actions, though he insisted the decision rests with the independent agency.

Broadcast licenses are granted by the FCC to individual local stations—not national networks like ABC, CBS, or NBC—under the Communications Act of 1934. These licenses, valid for eight years, require stations to operate "in the public interest," which includes fair and balanced programming. Renewal applications, filed four months before expiration, must demonstrate compliance with FCC rules, including prohibitions on news distortion or "rigging" coverage.Violations can trigger investigations, fines, or revocation after a hearing process, though such revocations are rare—fewer than a dozen nationwide since 2000, mostly for technical breaches like unlicensed broadcasting rather than content disputes.

Trump's threat targets affiliates of major networks, many owned by conglomerates like Disney (ABC's parent), which could amplify financial fallout. During his first term, Trump repeatedly floated similar ideas, including after a 2017 60 Minutes interview, but none led to action.

Critics swiftly condemned the president's words as an assault on free speech. Former President Barack Obama issued a statement calling it "cancel culture on steroids," accusing the administration of "threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle critics."House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries demanded Carr's resignation, labeling it a "corrupt abuse of power." Media advocacy group Free Press warned that such moves could chill investigative journalism, especially ahead of the 2026 midterms.

On the right, supporters rallied behind Trump. Kirk's widow, Kelsey, posted on X: "Finally, someone standing up to the fake news machine that poisoned minds like the killer's." Conservative outlets like Newsmax urged the FCC to probe "anti-Trump bias" in late-night TV, citing Nielsen ratings showing Kimmel's viewership down 15% year-over-year amid the scandal.

Legal experts predict First Amendment challenges if the FCC pursues revocations. The Supreme Court has upheld content regulations due to spectrum scarcity, but bias claims alone rarely meet the "public interest" threshold."This isn't about fairness; it's personal," said NYU media law professor Sarah Kessler. "Revoking a license over opinion shows would set a dangerous precedent."

As of Friday morning, ABC shares dipped 2.3% in pre-market trading, while calls for a Disney boycott trended on social media. The White House press secretary declined comment, referring questions to the FCC. Carr's office said only that the agency "reviews all complaints in accordance with the law."

This incident underscores Trump's enduring strategy of weaponizing regulatory threats against perceived adversaries, a tactic that has defined his media relations since 2016. Whether it leads to concrete action remains unclear—but the chilling effect on broadcast news is already palpable.