• Former President Donald Trump calls for ABC News to have its broadcast license revoked, citing alleged bias
  • The threat follows ABC's decision to preempt Jimmy Kimmel's show after FCC Chair Brendan Carr publicly pressured the network
  • Legal experts question the feasibility of license revocation while warning of heightened regulatory risk for media companies

Donald Trump's recent call for ABC News to lose its broadcast license has intensified concerns about regulatory pressure on media organizations, marking another escalation in the former president's long-standing conflicts with news outlets he perceives as critical.

"I think ABC News should have its broadcast license revoked," Trump stated, claiming the network provided "only bad publicity or press" about him. He suggested the Federal Communications Commission reexamine broadcast licenses for outlets critical of his administration.

The controversy comes amid ABC's indefinite preemption of Jimmy Kimmel's show following the host's controversial comments regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. That programming decision followed public pressure and threats from FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who had publicly intervened in the matter.

Legal experts quickly questioned the feasibility of Trump's proposal. "The FCC currently lacks the authority to revoke broadcast licenses purely due to program content critical of political leaders," said one communications attorney familiar with FCC procedures. "This would represent a significant departure from established First Amendment protections."

ABC News, a division of The Walt Disney Company, operates within Disney's linear media segment, which has faced industry-wide pressures from declining traditional TV advertising and streaming competition. While Disney's media networks have maintained stable revenues, the broadcasting sector continues to navigate changing viewer habits and increased regulatory scrutiny.

The situation has drawn sharp responses from congressional Democrats, who have called for FCC Chair Carr's resignation and initiated efforts to subpoena him, warning of potential First Amendment violations and political intimidation of the free press.

Trump's latest threat follows a pattern of similar actions against media organizations. In 2017, he suggested revoking NBC's license, though past FCC chairs have consistently maintained that licenses cannot be revoked based solely on unfavorable coverage.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether the administration would formally pursue license review proceedings. An ABC News spokesperson declined to comment specifically on Trump's remarks but reiterated the network's commitment to independent journalism.

Market analysts note that while the immediate regulatory risk may be limited, the public threat could further destabilize confidence in media companies already facing structural challenges. "When political figures openly discuss using regulatory power against specific news organizations, it creates uncertainty that impacts the entire sector," said a media industry analyst who asked not to be named.

As the controversy continues to generate debate, congressional hearings involving the FCC, ABC, and White House officials appear increasingly likely, according to people familiar with preliminary discussions on Capitol Hill.