ABC Claims Trump Administration Forced It to Change Content in Lawsuit

ABC and its parent company Disney filed a lawsuit on Monday against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) alleging that the Trump administration weaponized the agency to punish the network for its news reporting, talk shows, and late-night programs.

The complaint says the FCC ordered eight ABC-owned TV stations to apply for license renewal years early, with only 30 days to file paperwork that normally takes months. The suit cites Trump's public calls for ABC to lose its license, criticism of its 2024 debate moderation, and attacks on Jimmy Kimmel. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warned networks could handle issues "the easy way or the hard way," and said inaction on Kimmel meant "additional work for the FCC" -- some ABC stations briefly pulled Kimmel's show afterward. After a Democrat Senate candidate appeared on The View in February, the FCC considered equal-time rule questions and demanded internal emails, booking notes, and staff donation records. ABC says no political candidate has appeared on The View since, and producers now self-censor under threat of FCC targeting. ABC seeks a temporary order and preliminary injunction blocking early renewal requirements and further coercive threats.