President Trump voiced his frustrations on Sunday regarding what he considers biased reporting from NBC and ABC News, claiming that their coverage was unfair. He mentioned that he supported the idea of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) revoking their licenses. The Trump administration highlighted his perception of negative media coverage, particularly around a statistic he described as “97% negative.” However, he didn’t clarify where that specific figure came from. Interestingly, a survey from the Media Research Centre, which is known for its conservative stance, indicated that Trump’s initial 100 days in office received “92% negative” coverage.
In his characteristic all-caps style, Trump questioned the accuracy of that statistic. He went on to describe these media outlets as “a real threat to our democracy,” insisting that their reporting was “so biased and untrue,” suggesting they held a “complete advantage” in their approach. He followed up with another post branding them as “fake news” and labeled them “two of the worst and most biased networks on the planet.”
Trump expressed curiosity about why these news organizations do not contribute millions annually in licensing fees. He argued that they should lose their licenses due to what he sees as unfair treatment of Republicans and conservatives. His call for repercussions concluded with a strong statement against unethical journalism, declaring, “A crooked ‘journalism’ should not be rewarded. It needs to be finished!!!”
Fox News Digital reached out to both ABC and NBC for reactions to Trump’s claims. It’s worth noting that while ABC and NBC don’t hold FCC licenses for their national news content, they operate through local affiliates across the United States, which are regulated by the FCC.
Typically, television stations pay annual fees depending on their type and market, while cable networks handle their own fees. Only Congress holds the power to impose and collect these fees. Furthermore, any moves toward revoking licenses on the grounds of perceived bias risk infringing on First Amendment rights; similar attempts in the past have been struck down by courts.
Trump has a history of targeting broadcasters, including a lawsuit against ABC last year that resulted in a $15 million settlement. He also had a prominent role in NBC through “The Apprentice” before entering politics. Earlier this year, Paramount Global and CBS settled with Trump over allegations of election interference involving their network.
