Federal Communications Fee Chair Brendan Carr threatened to revoke broadcast licenses on Saturday, echoing criticism from President Trump over information networks’ protection of the U.S.-Israeli conflict in Iran.
“Broadcasters which might be working hoaxes and information distortions – also called the faux information – have an opportunity now to right course earlier than their license renewals come up,” Carr mentioned on social media, partly. “The regulation is evident. Broadcasters should function within the public curiosity, and they’re going to lose their licenses if they don’t.”
The FCC chair didn’t identify particular networks or cite any tales he believes have been reported incorrectly. However Carr’s put up referenced a Saturday morning Reality Social put up from the president about 5 U.S. tanker plane in Saudi Arabia.
“4 of the 5 had nearly no injury, and are already again in service,” Mr. Trump wrote. “None have been destroyed, or near that, because the Faux Information mentioned in headlines.”
Mr. Trump has repeatedly accused the media of falsely reporting on the conflict in Iran. In September 2025, the president mentioned that networks protecting him negatively ought to “possibly” have their licenses revoked. He mentioned such a choice would “be as much as” Carr, whom he appointed earlier that 12 months.
Hours after Carr informed right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson that feedback by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel concerning the suspect in Charlie Kirk’s assassination have been “a really, very critical problem proper now for Disney,” Kimmel’s present was pulled from air in mid-September. Mr. Trump praised ABC, which airs this system, for the choice. “Jimmy Kimmel Dwell!” resumed almost per week later.
Some conservatives, together with Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, mentioned Carr went too far. Nevertheless, the president defended him.
“I believe Brendan Carr is doing an incredible job,” the president informed reporters.
In August, Mr. Trump mentioned NBC and ABC “give me 97% BAD STORIES,” and he can be “completely in favor” of revoking their FCC licenses.
The FCC, an unbiased company, points eight-year licenses to particular person broadcast stations, lots of that are owned and operated by tv networks. It doesn’t license TV networks similar to CBS, NBC, ABC or Fox.
On its web site, the company says the “First Modification and the Communications Act expressly prohibit the Fee from censoring broadcast matter.” It additionally states that the fee’s position in overseeing content material on the air waves “could be very restricted.” The FCC has historically exerted restricted affect over the content material aired by TV networks, partly as a consequence of First Modification protections.
