Disney and ABC file lawsuit against FCC over Trump administration's content control claims
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Disney sues FCC over its attempt to rein in content, challenge its ABC licenses Disney and ABC on Tuesday sued the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), arguing that the Trump administration is attempting to censor journalists by urging the agency to conduct an early review of ABC’s broadcasting licenses. The lawsuit alleges the administration waged a “retaliatory campaign” on ABC and encouraged the FCC to use its regulatory power to…
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The Guardian USAfter being forced to apply early to renew its license to broadcast on the eight local television stations it owns, ABC has sued the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), arguing that it is being retaliated against for content-based reasons.
NBC NewsThe Walt Disney Company, ABC and a number of its stations on Tuesday sued the Federal Communications Commission, seeking to stop an early license renewal process that they say is an attack by the Trump administration.
The Daily WireThe company is asking a federal court to immediately block the FCC from taking or threatening action against Disney’s ABC stations in connection with the early renewal process. ABC has also requested a speedy hearing and a temporary restraining order.
PBS NewsHourABC sues FCC over challenge to broadcast licenses ABC has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's Federal Communications Commission, alleging violation of its First Amendment rights.
New York TimesABC Sues Trump Administration Over F.C.C. Threat to Its TV Licenses The network asked a court to stop the agency from taking steps that could force ABC stations off the air and accused the F.C.C. of violating its First Amendment rights.
Washington TimesABC is suing the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission over possible blockage of the network’s broadcast station licenses.
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Trump has repeatedly called for Kimmel to be fired, including after the president accused the late-night host of making a “despicable call to violence” about the president and first lady Melania Trump. The FCC’s early review, however, formally centers on ABC’s broadcast licenses and the agency’s authority to determine whether broadcasters are operating in the “public interest.”
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NBC NewsThe move from the FCC also came after the White House and President Donald Trump himself assailed ABC late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel for a joke about the first lady Melania Trump.
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The lawsuit cites the president’s social media posts and public comments threatening executive agency action against ABC, specifically Mr. Trump’s December Truth Social post complaining that late-night TV hosts “are almost 100% Negative to President Donald J. Trump,” floating whether broadcast licenses should be “terminated.”
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NBC NewsThe lawsuit specifically cites Trump’s own social media posts, including one in which he complained that late-night TV hosts “are almost 100% Negative to President Donald J. Trump” and asked if broadcast licenses should “be terminated?”
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In September 2025, Disney briefly pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from the air after Carr publicly criticized Kimmel over comments he made following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Kimmel had questioned the motives attributed to Kirk’s alleged killer and criticized Republicans for their response to the killing.
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Washington TimesLast September, Disney suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for a week after the late-night host belittled conservatives for grieving the killing of Charlie Kirk. The remarks drew public condemnation, plus pressure from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.
NBC NewsIn September 2025, Disney pulled Kimmel off the air briefly after pressure from FCC chairman Brendan Carr. Kimmel had made a comment about the motivations of the man who authorities say fatally shot conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel also criticized Republicans for how they responded to Kirk’s killing.
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“We’re going to stand up to what we believe is journalistic integrity,” Josh D’Amaro told CNBC. “And we’re not going to be told how to run that side of our business,” he added referring to the ABC broadcast network.
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The Daily WireDisney CEO Josh D’Amaro signaled last week that the company was prepared to continue fighting the administration. “We’re going to stand up to what we believe is journalistic integrity,” D’Amaro told CNBC. “And we’re not going to be told how to run that side of our business.”
4 details only one outlet reported
Independent claims that didn't surface elsewhere in our corpus. Treat as supplementary — not corroborated across outlets.
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01 The Guardian US The network filed the lawsuit on Tuesday while it waits to hear whether the Brendan Carr-led FCC approves its renewal requests, or, more likely, holds a hearing on their merits.
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02 NBC News In the lawsuit, Disney describes the FCC action as an “existential threat.” “The Commission issued an unprecedented order requiring the Stations to file early applications to renew their licenses—years before any of their licenses would have come up for renewal in the ordinary course and allowing only thirty days to file applications which ordinarily take months to prepare,” attorneys Beth Wilkinson and Paul Clement write in the civil complaint.
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03 The Daily Wire “The Commission issued an unprecedented order requiring the Stations to file early applications to renew their licenses — years before any of their licenses would have come up for renewal in the ordinary course and allowing only thirty days to file applications which ordinarily take months to prepare,” Disney attorneys Beth Wilkinson and Paul Clement wrote.
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04 Washington Times The early review comes amid tension between the administration and ABC’s late-night programming.
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