FCC orders early license renewals for ABC stations after criticism from Trump
The FCC has ordered Disney to seek early renewal of broadcast licenses for its eight ABC-owned stations, citing a potential violation of anti-discrimination rules and the Communications Act of 1934. This move follows criticism from President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump over a joke made by ABC's Jimmy Kimmel. The action is rare and has drawn accusations of political retaliation, with FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez calling it an assault on the First Amendment.
- ▪The FCC requires TV station owners to renew licenses every eight years, but Disney must now file early renewal requests within 30 days for stations not due for review for two or more years.
- ▪The investigation follows Jimmy Kimmel's joke about Melania Trump appearing like an 'expectant widow,' made just before a gunman was charged in an assassination attempt on President Trump.
- ▪FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by President Trump, previously threatened action against ABC affiliates over Kimmel's comments, leading to a brief suspension of Kimmel's show.
- ▪Anna Gomez, the lone Democratic FCC commissioner, called the license review 'unprecedented, unlawful,' and an 'egregious assault on the First Amendment.'
- ▪Disney stated it is confident it will qualify for license renewal, despite the accelerated timeline and political scrutiny.
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| Publication time | Wed, 29 Apr 2026 04:37:09 -0400 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-04-29T08:46:54.487Z |
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Media FCC orders early license renewals for ABC stations after criticism from Trump April 29, 20264:37 AM ET Heard on Morning Edition By A Martínez , Eric Deggans FCC orders early license renewals for ABC stations after criticism from Trump Listen · 3:53 3:53 Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5803567/nx-s1-9749210" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript The FCC has ordered early license renewals for Disney-owned ABC stations, following renewed criticism of Jimmy Kimmel from President Trump and the first lady.
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