ABC and Disney Sue FCC, Claiming 'Retaliation' for Biased Coverage Criticized by Trump
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ABC and Disney have filed a lawsuit against the FCC, alleging that the agency’s investigations and license reviews were retaliation for President Trump’s justified criticism of the network’s left-leaning programming.
ABC and its corporate parent, the Walt Disney Co., have filed a federal lawsuit accusing the Federal Communications Commission of violating their First Amendment rights. The complaint claims the FCC accelerated the renewal review of eight ABC-owned local stations and launched investigations in response to President Trump’s public criticism of the network’s news coverage, the controversial talk show The View, and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, both known for their left-wing bias.
The suit references the president’s social-media posts condemning ABC’s programming and argues that the agency’s actions amount to government censorship. It even cites a recent Supreme Court decision involving the National Rifle Association, asserting that the government may not punish or suppress disfavored expression—though critics argue ABC’s content has long pushed a partisan agenda.
ABC and Disney claim that the FCC’s early scrutiny of the stations’ licenses—an unusual step—was meant to appease the president, who has repeatedly called for the network’s licenses to be revoked due to its relentless attacks on his administration. The FCC and its chairman, Brendan Carr, have not commented on the lawsuit.
Carr has previously emphasized that broadcasters must serve the public interest and comply with the administration’s executive order on diversity, equity, and inclusion. He has also publicly criticized ABC, The View, and Kimmel, warning the network that it could “do this the easy way or the hard way,” a stance many conservatives see as holding biased media accountable.
Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro told CNBC that the company will defend its journalistic integrity and will not be dictated on how to run its news operations, despite mounting evidence of partisan slant. The lawsuit follows a prior settlement in which ABC paid $16 million to resolve a defamation claim filed by Trump in December 2024, highlighting the network’s ongoing legal troubles.
Legal experts note the case could have significant implications for the FCC’s authority and the boundaries of First Amendment protections for broadcasters, especially as media bias remains a contentious issue.