Trump threatens ABC and NBC over "BAD STORIES"

President Trump on Sunday suggested news networks ABC and NBC were "AN ARM OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY" and said he would be "in favor" of the Federal Communications Commission pulling their broadcast licenses.Why it matters: Trump has long publicly aired complaints about his media coverage. As Axios' Sara Fischer and Christine Wang report, his threats of regulatory scrutiny and private lawsuits against what he claims is the "Fake News" have had very real impacts.His administration has crusaded against public broadcasting, singled out the Associated Press and launched probes into broadcasters and stations, sparking fears of political retribution.CBS parent Paramount Global paid $16 million earlier this summer to settle a voter interference lawsuit filed by Trump over the editing of a "60 Minutes" interview with his rival, former Vice President Harris, and ABC struck a similar deal in December.Driving the news: Trump claimed on Truth Social Sunday night that ABC and NBC give him "97% BAD STORIES."He continued, "IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEY ARE SIMPLY AN ARM OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY AND SHOULD, ACCORDING TO MANY, HAVE THEIR LICENSES REVOKED BY THE FCC."The president did not elaborate on whom these "MANY" sources were, but said he would be "totally in favor of that because they are so biased and untruthful, an actual threat to our Democracy!!!"He separately asserted falsely that he had the highest poll numbers he'd ever received — "[e]xcept what is written and broadcast in the Fake News."Reality check: National broadcast networks aren't licensed by the FCC — but their local affiliates are.However, Axios' Sara Fischer notes that pulling licenses from local affiliates would be an incredibly cumbersome process.Zoom out: In a separate post, he said "[c]rooked 'journalism'" should be "terminated," writing that the networks "should lose their Licenses for their unfair coverage of Republicans and/or Conservatives, but at a minimum, they should pay up BIG" for using "the most valuable airwaves."He questioned why "Millions of Dollars a year in LICENSE FEES" weren't levied against the networks.In an earlier post, the president took personal jabs at ABC anchor Jonathan Karl's hair, saying he looks "absolutely terrible," and threatened to launch an investigation into former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie over the 2013 "Bridgegate" scandal after he appeared on "This Week" with Karl."It's amazing what bad ratings, on a failed television show that was forced to pay me $16,000,000, can do to one's appearance!" Trump wrote.NBC and ABC did not immediately respond to Axios' requests for comment.Context: This is far from the first time Trump has said networks should lose their broadcast licenses or that media companies should pay a "big price."Last year, then-FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel denounced Trump's "threats against free speech," saying that the "FCC does not and will not revoke licenses for broadcast stations simply because a political candidate disagrees with or dislikes content or coverage."Ajit Pai, who helmed the Commission in Trump's first term, also poured cold water on the president's threats, saying in 2017 that "[u]nder the law, the FCC does not have the authority to revoke a license of a broadcast station based on the content of a particular newscast."Go deeper: Trump targets NYT with new legal threat over CBS News lawsuit coverage

Comments

World news

Air Canada flight attendants vote on a new contract this week. Here's what's next

National Post

Comments

Similar News

Trump vs Bolton: How it all led to an FBI raid of the former national security advisor’s home

Trump says he and Secretary Hegseth want to take ‘Department of Defense’ back 80 years

Maine clinics denied Medicaid funds during lawsuit after Trump cuts to abortion providers

Who’s cashing in on Trump’s immigration crackdown? It’s not the American people nor the federal or state governments

Trump says National Guard is at the ready but hedges on Chicago plans

EXCLUSIVE: ICE to spend $100 million on 1,000 more SUVs to support Trump’s mass deportation efforts

Trump reveals dark bruising on hand as he goes cover-up-free in Oval Office amid health concerns

Trump tells South Korean president he’d like to reconnect with dictator Kim Jong Un: ‘Very great relationship’

FEMA staff warn Trump officials’ actions risk a Katrina-level disaster

‘Very, very hard’ work underway to end war in Ukraine, Trump envoy says

Trump claims ‘purge or revolution’ in South Korea before meeting new leader

Trump chides South Korea’s Lee before Washington trade talks

Trump signs order to criminally charge those who burn US flag in protest

Trump signs executive order to eliminate cashless bail in Washington

Trump insists he is not a dictator - but claims that many people think the US could use one

Advocates use chalk to color in rainbow crosswalk near Pulse nightclub that was removed on Trump’s order

Melania Trump’s very presidential signature on letter to Putin sparks conspiracy theories

Democrats ask Trump to resume a major offshore wind project near Rhode Island

Farage’s Trump-style approach to asylum is hurting Starmer

Trump’s Intel deal is a threat to US economic liberty

World news

Air Canada flight attendants vote on a new contract this week. Here's what's next

‘Fire with fire’: The doomsday political scenarios after Texas and California launch their warheads over redistricting

A Florida teen went missing aged 16. Two years later, she’s been charged with murder

How the fall of Evergrande spells doom for China’s property market

Desperate search for Russian swimmer who went missing in cross-Bosphorus race

EXCLUSIVE: ICE to spend $100 million on 1,000 more SUVs to support Trump’s mass deportation efforts

Photos of Abrego Garcia turning himself in at ICE office surrounded by family and supporters

Powerball jumps to $750 million - here is your long-shot odds of winning

Trump tells South Korean president he’d like to reconnect with dictator Kim Jong Un: ‘Very great relationship’

FEMA staff warn Trump officials’ actions risk a Katrina-level disaster

Trump reveals dark bruising on hand as he goes cover-up-free in Oval Office amid health concerns

Rayner’s second home could lose Labour votes to Reform, says pollster

Tragic millennials with disposable incomes just want to relive their childhood

Five journalists among 20 killed in Israeli strikes on hospital, Gaza health ministry says

Helicopter crash on Isle of Wight kills 3 during training flight

Out-of-control wildfire near Yale, B.C. grows to 120 hectares

Sarnia kidnapping suspects beat, threaten to set victim on fire: police

U.S. envoy summoned to France after Macron letter. Who is Charles Kushner?

‘Very, very hard’ work underway to end war in Ukraine, Trump envoy says

Trump claims ‘purge or revolution’ in South Korea before meeting new leader

2 First Nations form partnership to buy B.C. export terminal

‘Selective listening’ in class may be sign of something more serious: Winnipeg specialist

South African women warned about viral Russian job videos

Evergrande's delisting in Hong Kong: key facts to know

The U.S. confirms its first human case of New World screwworm. What is it?

What to Know About the Journalists Killed in Gaza

Artist who fled to the UK after exhibition exposing authoritarian regimes was censored ‘does not feel safe at all’

Democrats ask Trump to resume a major offshore wind project near Rhode Island

Trump insists he is not a dictator - but claims that many people think the US could use one

Maryam Abu Daqqa spent months photographing the war in Gaza. It claimed her life – but her images will endure

Advocates use chalk to color in rainbow crosswalk near Pulse nightclub that was removed on Trump’s order

Firefighter falls 13ft through floor of burning building - but survives with no major injuries

Emmanuel Haro’s father, clad in prison jumpsuit, seen helping police search for baby’s body in California badlands

What to know as Mississippi declares public health emergency over spike in infant deaths

Archbishop who met with Putin admits he made a mistake by not calling for end to Ukraine war

Melania Trump’s very presidential signature on letter to Putin sparks conspiracy theories

Helicopter tackling forest fire crashes into lake while scooping water

Newcastle refuse to give up on Strand Larsen after £50m Wolves snub

Farage’s Trump-style approach to asylum is hurting Starmer

The confected outrage over Angela Rayner’s new property is nothing but snobbery

Quicker than Archer: The England speedster making a bolt for the Ashes

The numbers that suggest a new Covid wave is already gripping the UK

Menopausal women leaving work costs UK £1.5bn a year – Labour has a plan to stop it

Menendez brothers’ lawyer reacts to parole denials, says they were ‘rigged’

Police call body found in Ontario park ‘suspicious’ as investigation unfolds

Gisele Pelicot's daughter reveals reason they no longer speak after rape trial

'I tried a gadget that pours pub-quality pints at home and it's perfect for BBQs'

Ukraine 'suicide drones' attack Putin's key energy plant in crippling blow

Trump mandates flag burners face prosecution in one of the biggest challenge to the First Amendment in decades

Watch last video filmed by Independent Arabia journalist Maryam Abu Daqa before she was killed in Gaza strike

Trying to raise more dough: Krispy Kreme pushing to get into more big-box stores to save struggling franchise

Trump looks to end ‘cashless bail’ in DC as his crime crackdown extends to the court system

‘We are living in fear and anguish every day’: Gazans fear a ‘new Nakba’ as Netanyahu plans occupation

Fox News-favorite Trump rants that ABC and NBC ‘should lose their licenses’ over negative coverage

The five Reform policies which have been tried before – and the ones that failed

The full truth about Epstein could soon emerge – and that’s a problem for Trump

Thousands of retirees get £3k refunds after pension tax errors – how to claim