President Donald Trump on Wednesday suggested that major television networks could face the loss of their broadcast licenses if their news and late-night programming portrays him and his allies in an unfavorable light.
In a Truth Social post published early Wednesday, Trump wrote that if network newscasts and late-night shows are “almost 100% Negative” toward him, “MAGA, and the Republican Party,” then their “very valuable Broadcast Licenses” should be terminated.
Trump has long sparred with prominent journalists and late-night hosts, repeatedly accusing major media outlets of political bias and, at times, hinting at punitive steps in response.
Why it matters
The comments come as Trump has ramped up legal and political pressure on media organizations in recent months. Earlier this month, he filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC, alleging improper editing related to a 2021 Panorama documentary. In October, he also refiled a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and three reporters.
Civicus, a nonprofit that tracks civic space across 198 countries, recently downgraded the United States’ civic freedom rating from “narrowed” to “obstructed,” citing, among other factors, increased political pressure on the media. Trump’s latest remarks have added to concerns about press freedom.
What to know
Trump has previously argued that some TV networks should have their licenses “taken away.” He made similar comments after ABC suspended late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over remarks about the suspect accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Speaking aboard Air Force One in September, Trump complained about what he described as overwhelmingly negative network coverage, saying: “I read someplace that the networks were 97 percent against me.” He went on to argue that such coverage should prompt regulators to consider whether licenses should be revoked, adding that it would be “up to Brendan Carr.”
Brendan Carr, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), said at the time: “We’re going to continue to hold these broadcasters accountable to the public interest,” and suggested that broadcasters unhappy with that approach could surrender their licenses to the FCC.
In a separate Truth Social post on Wednesday, Trump also targeted late-night host Stephen Colbert, calling him a “pathetic trainwreck” and criticizing his ratings.
What people are saying
Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday: “Who has the worst Late Night host, CBS, ABC, or NBC??? They all have three things in common: High Salaries, No Talent, REALLY LOW RATINGS!”
In another post, he attacked The New York Times, calling it “a serious threat to the National Security of our Nation,” and accused the paper of publishing “FAKE Articles and Opinions.”
What happens next
The FCC cannot directly cancel the broadcast licenses of major national networks such as ABC, NBC, or CBS. However, it can revoke licenses—or deny renewals—for local television stations, including affiliates that carry programming from those networks.
