Trump Threatens to Strip TV Licenses Over Media Criticism
President argues broadcast licenses could be revoked for hostile coverage as clashes with media intensify, with FCC oversight to be decided by its chairman
President Donald Trump on Sunday proposed revoking the broadcast licenses of U.S. television networks that criticize him, telling reporters aboard Air Force One that outlets delivering negative coverage should lose their licenses. He spoke as he returned from a state visit to the United Kingdom, arguing that a large portion of the media coverage has been hostile and floating the idea as part of a broader critique of what he described as biased news reporting. The remarks come as he faces multiple political and legal headlines, including a separate defamation case against a major newspaper that has dominated headlines in recent days.
Trump said the networks are "97 per cent against me" and argued that if they receive licenses while delivering unfavorable publicity, then perhaps their licenses should be taken away. He added that the final decision would rest with Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr, whom he described as "a tough guy" who "loves our country" and would have to decide the matter. The comments underscore Trump’s broader contention that some media outlets operate as a political bloc rather than as neutral news organizations.
The remarks come amid a recent flare-up involving late-night television hosts. The row intensified after host Jimmy Kimmel was taken off air following comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and about the President’s reaction to the death. Trump asserted that late-night programs have not featured conservatives in years and claimed that networks are "licensed" and "not allowed to do that." He further alleged they are "an arm of the Democrat Party." Network executives and lawmakers quickly condemned the rhetoric as a dangerous encroachment on free speech and a sign of political pressure on the press. The discussion also touched on how broadcast licenses are issued to major networks and their affiliates, which transmit content over the air and thus require FCC authorization.
As the dispute unfolded, the White House pointed to Carr’s role in any licensing decision, signaling that Trump’s call was at least partly intended to spotlight a potential regulatory route rather than immediate action. Carr has previously emphasized the importance of keeping broadcast licenses in line with public-interest requirements, though critics argued that tying licensing to political criticism would chill free expression. The exchange reflected a broader, long-running conflict between Trump and segments of the media that he views as unfriendly or hostile to his political agenda.
The controversy drew swift political and cultural reaction. Former president Barack Obama weighed in on the broader debate over cancel culture, saying that the current administration has taken concern about media accountability to a new and dangerous level by threatening regulatory action against media companies. In late-night circles, Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show—on a network described as axing Kimmel Live! next year—called the move a "blatant assault" on freedom of speech. Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC’s Tonight Show, suggested Kimmel would continue to speak his mind, saying the comedian promised to "keep saying what we want to say." The public crosswinds over how media should operate amid political pressures reflected a heightened sensitivity across entertainment and news outlets.
In a related legal development, a Florida judge dismissed Trump’s $15 billion defamation suit against The New York Times, related to a book and article examining his role on the U.S. version of The Apprentice. Trump had claimed in vain that the Times had "maliciously peddled the fact-free narrative" that producer Mark Burnett helped propel him to celebrity status. Judge Steven D. Merryday ruled the allegations too sprawling and rejected the broad claims, effectively ending that particular suit. Supporters of Trump argued the decision underscored ongoing battles over reputational litigation in the political arena, while opponents framed it as a standard rejection of a sprawling, error-filled lawsuit.
Taken together, the events illustrate a period of intensified confrontation among the former president, the press, and political actors over the boundaries of free expression, media influence, and regulatory power. The question of whether broadcast licenses can or should be used as a regulatory tool in response to political coverage remains unsettled, highlighting the enduring tensions that shape U.S. politics and the media landscape.