ABC sues the FCC over Trump and Carr’s campaign of threats

Disney and ABC have taken the FCC to federal court, alleging the agency launched a politically motivated attack on the broadcaster's licenses in retaliation for coverage critical of the Trump administration, particularly segments from Jimmy Kimmel and The View.

ABC and its parent company Disney have filed a federal lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission, accusing the regulator of orchestrating a retaliatory campaign designed to punish the network for its editorial choices. The complaint centers on what ABC describes as threats to its broadcast licenses — a significant legal and business vulnerability for any over-the-air network. The friction stems from the Trump administration's ongoing displeasure with ABC's political programming, singling out late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and the daytime talk show The View. The FCC, under chair Brendan Carr, opened a formal inquiry in February into whether The View improperly allocated airtime among political candidates, and subsequently pressured ABC stations in ways the company now argues cross constitutional lines. The lawsuit marks a significant escalation in what has become one of the more high-profile battles between a major media organization and the federal government over press freedom and regulatory overreach.

Disney and ABC have escalated their confrontation with the Trump administration to the federal judiciary, filing suit against the Federal Communications Commission and alleging the agency weaponized its regulatory authority to silence editorial voices it found politically inconvenient. The lawsuit charges that the FCC, led by chair Brendan Carr — an appointee aligned with the administration's media criticism — pursued a coordinated campaign of threats against ABC's broadcast licenses in direct response to programming that mocked or criticized the president and his allies. The specific flashpoints include comedian Jimmy Kimmel's late-night monologues and The View, the long-running daytime panel program that has been a consistent target of White House criticism. The FCC opened a formal investigation in February into whether The View violated equal-time provisions governing candidate airtime, a move ABC characterizes as a pretext for broader intimidation rather than a genuine regulatory concern. Broadcast licenses are the lifeblood of over-the-air television networks; losing or even facing prolonged uncertainty over them can damage advertising revenue, affiliate relationships, and corporate valuation — making license threats an unusually powerful lever for any administration to pull. Why it matters: This case sits at the intersection of press freedom, administrative power, and the independence of regulatory agencies. If ABC prevails, it could establish important guardrails limiting the government's ability to use broadcast licensing as a cudgel against unfavorable coverage — a protection that would benefit all legacy broadcasters. If the FCC successfully defends its actions, it may embolden future administrations to deploy similar tactics. Broader press freedom advocates are watching closely, as the outcome could redefine the boundaries between legitimate broadcast regulation and constitutionally impermissible government retaliation against journalistic speech. The lawsuit is arguably the most significant First Amendment challenge involving a major network and a federal regulator in recent memory.