Story perspectives

FCC's Disney License Review Seen as Trump Retaliation

4/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

The FCC's license review is portrayed as retaliation for President Donald Trump's demand that ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel.
The FCC ordered Disney to file applications for its eight ABC stations by May 28 2026, citing a probe into Disney's diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
Former FCC chair Tom Wheeler, Anna Gomez, and press-freedom groups said the action was politicized, unprecedented, unlawful, and a First Amendment threat that may force costly defenses.

History

Historical Context

In 1969 the Supreme Court upheld the Fairness Doctrine, allowing the FCC to regulate scarce broadcast frequencies. Reagan’s 1981 market shift led to the doctrine’s 1987 repeal, after which Chairman Dennis Patrick saw talk-radio stations triple to roughly 1,200 by 1995. The agency’s 2026 order forcing Disney to reapply for ABC stations echoes that licensing leverage.

1 of 2

Story summary

The FCC's license review is portrayed as retaliation for President Donald Trump's demand that ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel.
The FCC ordered Disney to file applications for its eight ABC stations by May 28 2026, citing a probe into Disney's diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
Former FCC chair Tom Wheeler, Anna Gomez, and press-freedom groups said the action was politicized, unprecedented, unlawful, and a First Amendment threat that may force costly defenses.

1 / 2