Trump Demands FCC Revoke Licenses of ABC and NBC, Calling Them "Most Biased Ever"

President Donald Trump has criticized ABC News and NBC, labeling them "the most biased" networks and suggesting their licenses be revoked by the FCC. Trump claimed the networks provide him with 97% bad stories and questioned why they don't pay millions in license fees. He argued that the networks are essentially arms of the Democratic Party and called for the FCC to revoke their licenses. NBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This is not the first time Trump has criticized media outlets, and his comments come amid broader changes in the media landscape.

In a recent social media tirade, President Donald Trump targeted ABC News and NBC, accusing them of biased coverage and suggesting that their broadcast licenses be revoked by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Trump claimed that 97% of the stories about him were "bad stories" and questioned why these networks do not pay millions in license fees [2].

The FCC, under Chairman Brendan Carr, has initiated formal reviews of ABC, NBC, and other major broadcast networks, including NPR and PBS. Carr has also begun investigations into the diversity, equity, and inclusion actions of the corporate parents of ABC and NBC—Walt Disney Co. and Comcast, respectively [1]. However, Fox, owned by Trump ally Rupert Murdoch, has so far escaped scrutiny.

Trump's comments are part of a broader pattern of criticism against media outlets. His administration has previously seen the FCC revoke the licenses of local stations that broadcast content deemed inappropriate or unprofessional [1]. The current FCC chairman, Carr, has been seen as a conventional free-market conservative, focusing on deregulation and cutting back on regulations [1].

The implications of Trump's threat are significant for the media industry and investors. If the FCC were to revoke the licenses of ABC and NBC, it could have substantial financial and operational impacts. For instance, the networks would lose their ability to broadcast content on the public airwaves, which are granted and reviewed by the FCC. This could disrupt their business models and potentially lead to job losses.

Moreover, the threat of license revocation could also affect the parent companies of ABC and NBC—Walt Disney Co. and Comcast. These companies have vast entertainment holdings, and any regulatory hurdles or costs associated with the FCC reviews could disrupt their business plans. For example, the FCC reviews could delay or even prevent major deals requiring approval from federal regulators [1].

Investors should monitor the situation closely, as it could have broader implications for the media and entertainment sectors. The threat of license revocation and the ongoing FCC reviews could create uncertainty and potential risks for companies operating in these industries.

References:
[1] https://www.npr.org/2025/08/25/nx-s1-5515480/fcc-abc-nbc-reviews
[2] https://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/us-news/trump-guns-for-nbc-and-abc-news-channels-mulls-revoking-license/3957029/