FCC Chair Carr Threatens License Revocation Over Trump Coverage

FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened to revoke broadcast licenses on Saturday, directly echoing Trump’s criticism of media coverage of the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. Carr stated on social media that broadcasters running “hoaxes and news distortions” would “lose their licenses” during renewal periods, though he cited no specific networks or stories. The threat followed Trump’s Truth Social post attacking news coverage of five U.S. tanker aircraft in Saudi Arabia, claiming networks falsely reported damage when “four of the five had virtually no damage.”

Trump has repeatedly demanded license revocation for negative coverage, telling reporters in September 2025 that networks covering him negatively should “maybe” have their licenses revoked and that the decision would be “up to” Carr, whom he appointed. In August, Trump said NBC and ABC “give me 97% BAD STORIES” and he would be “totally in favor” of revoking their licenses. This pattern mirrors earlier instances where Trump administration pressure preceded consequences, such as when Carr demanded patriotic content from broadcasters and Kimmel’s show was pulled from air in mid-September after Carr called Kimmel’s remarks “a very, very serious issue.”

The FCC’s own website states that the “First Amendment and the Communications Act expressly prohibit the Commission from censoring broadcast matter” and that its role in overseeing broadcast content “is very limited.” The agency issues eight-year licenses to individual broadcast stations, not to television networks themselves. Carr did not identify which specific stories he believed were distorted or provide evidence contradicting any reporting.

Some Republicans including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz stated Carr went too far, yet Trump defended his appointee, saying “I think Brendan Carr is doing a great job.” Trump’s direct control over agency actions targeting his media critics demonstrates the weaponization of federal authority against news organizations that report unfavorably on his administration.

(Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/fcc-brendan-carr-threat-news-networks-broadcast-license/)