Disney and ABC Sue Trump's Media Regulator to Stop Early Licence Renewal

The lawsuit filed by Disney and ABC against the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and its chairman, Brendan Carr, has sparked controversy in the media industry. The plaintiffs argue that the FCC is being unfairly targeted over its editorial content and that the early licence renewal process is a form of government censorship.

According to the lawsuit, the FCC has been pressured to renew broadcast licences years early, allegedly due to complaints from President Donald Trump. The plaintiffs claim that this is a retaliatory campaign against ABC for a single reason: it disapproves of what ABC broadcasts.

The FCC has responded to the lawsuit, stating that all broadcasters have a legal obligation to operate in the public interest, even Disney. The FCC also reiterated that the renewal requests were focused on "public interest", not retaliation.

However, the lawsuit cites Trump's own social media posts as evidence, including one in which he complained about ABC's coverage of him being "almost 100% negative". In the same post, Trump questioned whether ABC's broadcast licences should "be terminated", and answered his own question: "I say, Yes!"

The lawsuit also notes that the FCC has never demanded early renewal applications from a group of stations commonly owned by a single broadcast network. ABC and Disney have requested a "speedy hearing" from the court and a temporary restraining order.

The controversy surrounding the FCC's actions has been ongoing, with FCC chairman Brendan Carr being at the centre of the administration's increasingly combative relationship with the media. Even before assuming his position, Carr made clear that he would take an expansive view of his power.

ABC has repeatedly drawn Carr's ire, including when he openly threatened to take action against media companies that did not push back against comedian Jimmy Kimmel after he made remarks about the murder of conservative activist and Trump ally, Charlie Kirk.

| **FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's Statements** | **Date** | | --- | --- | | "Government censorship is deeply un-American." | - | | "The FCC has been examining claims that Disney engaged in illegal DEI discrimination for over a year." | - | | "The FCC will continue to follow the facts and law wherever they lead." | - | | "We can do this the easy way or the hard way." | September 2025 |

The lawsuit has sparked debate about the role of government in regulating the media and the limits of free speech. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how the court will rule on the plaintiffs' request for a "speedy hearing" and a temporary restraining order.

## Related Topics

- The FCC's actions have been criticized by many in the media industry, with some arguing that they are a form of government censorship. - The lawsuit has sparked debate about the role of government in regulating the media and the limits of free speech. - The case is ongoing, with ABC and Disney requesting a "speedy hearing" from the court and a temporary restraining order.