President Trump escalated his ongoing feud with major broadcast networks by threatening license revocations and financial penalties over coverage he described as biased.
At a Glance
- Trump criticized ABC and NBC in late-night social media posts.
- He suggested networks should lose licenses or pay higher fees.
- Complaints centered on polling and negative coverage of his administration.
- Trump claimed networks give him “97% bad stories.”
- The posts were published on his Truth Social platform Sunday night.
Renewed Attacks on Media
President Trump launched another round of criticism against mainstream media outlets, this time targeting ABC and NBC with claims they were among “the absolute worst and most biased networks anywhere in the world.” His remarks, posted to Truth Social late Sunday, followed recent polling data that he argued unfairly represented his administration and electoral prospects.
In his message, Trump questioned why broadcast networks should not be required to pay millions of dollars in additional licensing fees, citing their access to federally regulated airwaves. He argued that the government should consider revoking their licenses outright, portraying negative coverage as justification for penalties.
The president has made similar threats in the past, often arguing that established media outlets distort public perception through polling and reporting. The latest outburst underscores his longstanding contention that coverage of his administration is unbalanced and damaging.
Learn More: Trump Calls for ‘Crooked’ ABC and NBC to Be ‘Terminated’ in Epic Late-Night Rant · The Daily Beast
https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-calls-for-crooked-abc-and-nbc-to-be-terminated-in-epic-late-night-rant
Threats of Fines and License Loss
Trump’s proposal that broadcasters face financial penalties or loss of licenses represents a provocative escalation of his rhetoric toward the press. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversees broadcast licenses, though presidents have no direct authority to unilaterally revoke them. While his language reflects frustration with critical coverage, the practical effect of such posts is limited by regulatory independence and legal protections for press freedom.
His assertion that networks should “pay up BIG” to continue using the airwaves tapped into his recurring theme of turning perceived adversaries into financial targets. The suggestion that “crooked journalism” should be “terminated” illustrates a combative approach that blends political messaging with regulatory threats.
Historical Context of Media Disputes
This confrontation continues a long-running pattern of antagonism between Trump and broadcast media. During his previous term, he frequently singled out outlets such as CNN, NBC, and ABC, calling them “fake news” and suggesting penalties for reporting he disputed. Such remarks often resonated with his supporters, who share skepticism of mainstream media institutions.
The calls for license revocation echo controversies from his earlier years in office, when similar threats were made following unfavorable coverage. However, experts in media law note that constitutional protections and regulatory structures make the implementation of such threats unlikely. Still, Trump’s willingness to revive these arguments underscores his reliance on direct communication platforms to shape media narratives.
As campaign season intensifies, clashes between Trump and the networks are expected to escalate, with media organizations continuing to publish critical stories and the president using his platform to amplify accusations of bias. The latest episode illustrates both the durability of his media grievances and the limited avenues for translating them into actual policy measures.