NBC and ABC face license threats from Trump over news objectivity

Trump complained that the networks predominantly broadcast negative coverage of his presidency.

“Despite a very high popularity and, according to many, among the greatest 8 months in Presidential History, ABC & NBC fake news, two of the worst and most biased networks in history, give me 97% bad stories,” he wrote.

According to Trump, such editorial policies demonstrate a direct dependence on the Democratic Party.

“If that is the case, they are simply an arm of the democrat party and should, according to many, have their licenses revoked by the FCC,” Trump wrote.

The Federal Communications Commission issues licenses to television networks, which must be periodically renewed. Trump’s comments come amid his long-running conflicts with major media outlets. In July, he agreed to settle a $16 million lawsuit against CBS News and reached a $15 million defamation settlement with ABC.

Additionally, FCC Chair Brendan Carr, a Republican, recently launched an investigation into Comcast (NBCUniversal’s parent company) over diversity programs and its relationships with NBC’s local affiliates. NBC is part of Comcast, while ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company.

This is not Trump’s first attack on NBC. In 2017, during his first term, he questioned whether the FCC should grant licenses to the network after it published a story alleging he advocated expanding the US nuclear arsenal.

Despite Trump’s aggressive rhetoric, his approval among Americans remains mixed. An August 15–18 poll by The Economist/YouGov of 1,568 respondents found that 56% of Americans fully or partially disapprove of his actions as president, while 40% expressed support. The survey’s margin of error was about 3.5%.