Story perspectives

ABC Sues FCC, Cites First Amendment Retaliation Claim

8/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

ABC sued the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), alleging a First Amendment violation.
The suit alleges retaliation after FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr ordered an April review of ABC’s licenses over diversity policies, a day after Jimmy Kimmel’s mock White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
U.S. President Donald Trump urged Kimmel’s firing on Truth Social while FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr warned the FCC could take “the easy way or the hard way” with him.

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Story summary

ABC sued the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), alleging a First Amendment violation.
The suit alleges retaliation after FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr ordered an April review of ABC’s licenses over diversity policies, a day after Jimmy Kimmel’s mock White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
U.S. President Donald Trump urged Kimmel’s firing on Truth Social while FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr warned the FCC could take “the easy way or the hard way” with him.