Date: July 30, 2025
Byline: Investigative Desk
Former President Donald Trump reignited his long-standing feud with the media, targeting ABC and NBC with accusations of bias and corruption in a recent post on Truth Social. He labeled these networks as two of the absolute worst and most biased in his ongoing narrative against what he refers to as the Fake News complex. The claims included demands for revoking the networks' broadcast licenses, escalating his direct attacks on mainstream media as he seeks to reinforce his support base.
I. THE 97% BAD COVERAGE CLAIM
In his tirade, Trump stated that 97% of coverage from ABC and NBC portrays his presidency negatively. Although some assessments from organizations like the Media Research Center indicate high levels of negative reporting, independent audits have yet to verify Trump's specific statistic. This figure aligns with his long-term media strategy of casting himself as a victim of biased coverage, a tactic that galvanizes his supporters.
II. CALLS FOR FCC LICENSE REVOCATION
Trump's attack deepened as he called for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revoke the broadcast licenses of ABC and NBC, asserting they act as facilitators for the Democratic Party. His suggestion that these networks should financially compensate for using valuable airwaves reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of broadcasting regulations. National networks like ABC and NBC do not directly hold FCC licenses; instead, it is their local affiliates that do.
III. CROOKED JOURNALISM OR PROTECTED SPEECH?
Labeling the networks' coverage as crooked journalism, Trump is arguably pushing the limits of governmental authority over press freedoms. Legal scholars suggest that revoking broadcasting licenses on politically charged grounds would likely infringe upon First Amendment rights, which protect press freedom against governmental interference. Critics of Trump interpret his rhetoric as a worrying sign of authoritarian tendencies.
IV. THE LARGER MEDIA WAR
Trump's aggression is not an isolated instance; his previous targets have included CNN, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. His latest onslaught against ABC and NBC coincides with broader calls from Republicans to scrutinize the role of major media corporations and tech giants in influencing public perception. Notably, revoking the licenses of ABC and NBC is untenable, as local affiliates, not the networks themselves, are subject to FCC oversight. This latest blast serves as both a political maneuver to rally his followers and a strategic move against influential players within American journalism.
Byline: Investigative Desk
Former President Donald Trump reignited his long-standing feud with the media, targeting ABC and NBC with accusations of bias and corruption in a recent post on Truth Social. He labeled these networks as two of the absolute worst and most biased in his ongoing narrative against what he refers to as the Fake News complex. The claims included demands for revoking the networks' broadcast licenses, escalating his direct attacks on mainstream media as he seeks to reinforce his support base.
I. THE 97% BAD COVERAGE CLAIM
In his tirade, Trump stated that 97% of coverage from ABC and NBC portrays his presidency negatively. Although some assessments from organizations like the Media Research Center indicate high levels of negative reporting, independent audits have yet to verify Trump's specific statistic. This figure aligns with his long-term media strategy of casting himself as a victim of biased coverage, a tactic that galvanizes his supporters.
II. CALLS FOR FCC LICENSE REVOCATION
Trump's attack deepened as he called for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revoke the broadcast licenses of ABC and NBC, asserting they act as facilitators for the Democratic Party. His suggestion that these networks should financially compensate for using valuable airwaves reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of broadcasting regulations. National networks like ABC and NBC do not directly hold FCC licenses; instead, it is their local affiliates that do.
III. CROOKED JOURNALISM OR PROTECTED SPEECH?
Labeling the networks' coverage as crooked journalism, Trump is arguably pushing the limits of governmental authority over press freedoms. Legal scholars suggest that revoking broadcasting licenses on politically charged grounds would likely infringe upon First Amendment rights, which protect press freedom against governmental interference. Critics of Trump interpret his rhetoric as a worrying sign of authoritarian tendencies.
IV. THE LARGER MEDIA WAR
Trump's aggression is not an isolated instance; his previous targets have included CNN, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. His latest onslaught against ABC and NBC coincides with broader calls from Republicans to scrutinize the role of major media corporations and tech giants in influencing public perception. Notably, revoking the licenses of ABC and NBC is untenable, as local affiliates, not the networks themselves, are subject to FCC oversight. This latest blast serves as both a political maneuver to rally his followers and a strategic move against influential players within American journalism.
