Trump threats against reporters should prompt court to block FCC action, Disney says

President Donald Trump's threats against journalists and broadcast networks warrant a US judge intervening to halt the Federal Communications Commission from reviewing Disney's eight ABC station licenses early, Disney contends. In a legal document, both Disney and ABC argued that FCC Chair Brendan Carr is executing Trump's explicit orders, which aim to limit speech critical of the administration.

The company further contended that Carr's execution of Trump's directives is improper but justified, given Trump's assertion that he could fire the chairman at will if he is not sufficiently responsive to his directives. Neither the White House nor Carr provided immediate reactions. Trump has frequently urged broadcasters to terminate programming he disapproves of, including comedy or news shows, and has called for the FCC to revoke station licenses if it criticizes his administration or news programs.

Carr mandated the expedited reviews in April, despite the ABC stations' license renewals not being set for review until October 2028. The FCC had not ordered an early review in over 50 years before April. The reviews were initiated a day after Trump directed ABC to terminate comedian Jimmy Kimmel. Disney cited recent Trump threats against journalists at NBC, including Meet the Press anchor Kristen Welker and an ABC White House reporter who inquired about potential $5,000 stimulus checks on September 11, stating: "You’re the worst."

Trump allegedly threatened to report Welker to the FCC for rebuke or punishment after she mentioned the mixed success of the Republican president in endorsing political candidates. Disney pointed out that Carr warned after Trump's threat that the commission might soon issue guidance to broadcast television networks regarding what he termed "fake polls."

On Wednesday, Carr declined to comment on whether he intended to take action against Welker, although legal experts suggest her remarks were protected by the First Amendment, and did not disclose if he would issue polling guidance. Disney asserted that Carr is adhering to Trump's retaliatory directives and employing early license renewals to punish broadcasters for unfavorable speech.

Broadcast stations require FCC licenses to utilize public airwaves. Although license revocations are exceedingly rare, critics argue that threats of losing a license can pressure broadcasters and raise concerns about government interference in programming decisions.