Washington, D.C.: Former President Donald Trump has reignited his long-running battle with mainstream media, targeting broadcast giants ABC and NBC over what he calls overwhelmingly negative coverage. In a fiery statement, Trump accused the networks of producing “97 percent BAD STORIES” about him and Republican allies, claiming the outlets act as “an arm of the Democrat Party.”
Trump suggested that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should take action, even calling for the revocation of broadcast licenses tied to the networks and proposing steep fees for their use of public airwaves. “They shouldn’t be allowed to use our airwaves for free if all they do is spread lies and propaganda,” Trump said.
The demand, however, faces steep legal and regulatory hurdles. Licensing authority rests with the FCC, which issues licenses to local affiliate stations, not the national networks themselves. Experts note that revoking licenses based on content would run afoul of the First Amendment, which protects even sharply critical coverage of political leaders.
This is not the first time Trump has clashed with major broadcasters. During his presidency, he threatened CBS, NBC, and CNN over coverage he labeled “fake news.” In recent weeks, his criticism escalated after late-night hosts, including Jimmy Kimmel, mocked him on air. Trump applauded when ABC briefly pulled Kimmel’s show from affiliate networks, and he urged NBC to follow suit by canceling its own late-night programming.
Media watchdogs and free press advocates swiftly condemned Trump’s remarks. “This is a dangerous use of political influence against journalism,” one press freedom group said, warning that attempts to pressure regulators over unfavorable coverage threaten democratic norms.
The FCC has so far not announced any moves in response to Trump’s statements, though Republican commissioner Brendan Carr has previously signaled openness to stronger scrutiny of media outlets. Democrats on the commission, meanwhile, have dismissed the idea as unconstitutional.
As the 2026 election cycle heats up, Trump’s escalating attacks on traditional broadcasters are viewed as both a campaign strategy and an extension of his years-long war against what he brands as “fake news.” Whether the FCC acts or not, the confrontation sets the stage for another clash between politics, media, and free expression in the U.S.
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