FCC orders review of ABC licenses after Jimmy Kimmel’s Melania Trump joke
The FCC, under Chair Brendan Carr, has ordered an accelerated review of eight local ABC broadcasting licenses, years ahead of their scheduled renewal dates. This move follows criticism from the White House over a joke Jimmy Kimmel made about Melania Trump, which prompted calls for his dismissal. Critics view the FCC's action as politically motivated, linking it to an ongoing investigation into Disney's diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.
- ▪The FCC is reviewing eight local ABC stations' licenses years earlier than required, with a new deadline of 28 May 2026.
- ▪The action follows a joke by Jimmy Kimmel about Melania Trump and subsequent criticism from former President Donald Trump.
- ▪The FCC's investigation is tied to concerns over Disney's DEI practices, which Carr claims may involve discriminatory employee categorization.
- ▪ABC stations are owned and operated locally, and the FCC regulates individual broadcast licenses, not national networks.
- ▪Disney maintains that ABC has consistently complied with FCC rules and serves the public interest in its local communities.
8 outlets in our directory ran this story, first to last over 5 hours. Coverage spans 3 points on the political spectrum — 3 lean left, 3 centre, 1 lean right.
- ▪ FCC reviewing Disney licenses over DEI practices one day after Trump called for Kimmel's firing — CBS News — Top
- ▪ U.S. FCC to review Disney’s ABC station licenses after Trump complains about Jimmy Kimmel joke — The Globe and Mail
- ▪ US regulator to review Disney broadcast licenses after Jimmy Kimmel joke about Melania Trump — BBC News
- ▪ The FCC is reviewing Disney's ABC broadcast licenses, a day after Trump called for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired — Business Insider
- ▪ FCC Orders a Review of ABC’s Licenses Amid Feud Between Trump and Kimmel — NYT > Top Stories
- ▪ FCC Will Review Disney’s Broadcast Licenses After Melania Trump Blasts Jimmy Kimmel Joke — Forbes - Business
- ▪ FCC to Review ABC Licenses Following Jimmy Kimmel's Melania Remarks: Report — Newsweek
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| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/28/fcc-abc-jimmy-kimmel |
| Publication time | Tue, 28 Apr 2026 19:07:27 GMT |
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Brendan Carr of the FCC speaks during the Concordia Annual Summit in New York on 22 September 2025. Photograph: Andrés Kudacki/APView image in fullscreenBrendan Carr of the FCC speaks during the Concordia Annual Summit in New York on 22 September 2025. Photograph: Andrés Kudacki/APTrump administrationFCC orders review of ABC licenses after Jimmy Kimmel’s Melania Trump jokeEight local broadcasting licenses under review after White House launched attack on late-night host over comment Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox Jeremy Barr in WashingtonTue 28 Apr 2026 15.07 EDTLast modified on Tue 28 Apr 2026 15.48 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe US’s top media watchdog announced on Tuesday that it is accelerating the review of eight local…
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