Full Breakdown
ABC News Report on Trump Sons’ Investments Triggers Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Probe Request
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The piece linked Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump’s venture firm, 1789 Capital, to defense contractor Anduril Industries and alleged a $2.5 billion investment securing major contracts. Within 24 hours the article was removed from the network’s website without explanation.
Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, sent a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr urging a formal investigation into ABC News for what he called a “political hit job.”
Background & Context
Anduril Industries is developing the Arsenal-1 manufacturing facility in Ohio, projected to attract nearly $1 billion and create more than 4,000 jobs. The original ABC report said 1789 Capital invested $2.5 billion in Anduril; the figure actually represents Anduril’s total fundraising round, while 1789 Capital’s contribution was about $50 million. A claim that Donald Trump Jr. sat on Anduril’s three-person investment-decision committee was later corrected.
Data & Statistics
- Original alleged investment: $2.5 billion (claimed as 1789 Capital’s stake).
- Corrected investment amount: $50 million from 1789 Capital.
- Anduril’s total fundraising round: Approximately $2.5 billion.
- Arsenal-1 facility investment: Nearly $1 billion, projected to generate >4,000 Ohio jobs.
Official Statements & Responses
- Sen. Bernie Moreno: In his letter, Moreno argued that ABC News, as a broadcaster holding FCC licenses, must “serve the public interest” and demanded answers about who approved the story and whether licensing obligations were violated.
- Eric Trump (X post): Praised Moreno’s call for an FCC probe and called the article a “bulls**t hit-piece.”
- ABC News (editor’s note): Acknowledged errors concerning company investments, government contracts, and the chronology of events; clarified that Donald Trump Jr. does not sit on Anduril’s investment committee.
- Donald Trump Jr. (X tweet, Oct 8 2026): Said ABC deleted the article because it was false.
- Bill Ackman, Pershing Square: Described the removal as “bad” and urged the outlet to take responsibility for its “failed journalism.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Investment amount: Original story cited $2.5 billion by 1789 Capital; correction shows a $50 million contribution, with the larger figure representing Anduril’s overall fundraising.
- Committee role: Initial reporting claimed Donald Trump Jr. served on Anduril’s investment-decision committee; correction clarifies he does not hold that position.
- Timeline of removal: ABC removed the story within 24 hours but gave no immediate public explanation, prompting criticism.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Thus, I urge the Commission to open a formal investigation into ABC News's political hit job. We must know who signed off on the publication of this false story, who may have asked to profit from the attack, and whether ABC News's conduct violated its obligations as a licensee,” — Sen. Bernie Moreno
- “The American people, and the workers in Ohio whose jobs were put at risk by this reporting, deserve answers and accountability,” — Sen. Bernie Moreno
What’s Next
Sen. Moreno’s letter asks the FCC to examine whether ABC News violated its broadcast-license obligations; no hearing date has been set and the FCC has not yet responded to media inquiries.