FCC chair suggests ABC skipping Trump’s speech will factor in license renewal decision

FCC chairman Brendan Carr said ABC’s decision not to broadcast President Trump’s primetime address could be raised during the renewal of licences for Disney-owned ABC stations. He argued that broadcasters have a public-interest obligation to provide access to significant presidential speeches, making the issue relevant to ongoing regulatory scrutiny.

ABC and NBC did not air Trump’s 16 July address, which concerned election security and alleged vulnerabilities in the 2020 election; CNN also declined, while Sinclair-owned ABC and NBC affiliates carried it. Republican congressman Buddy Carter has asked the FCC to review the decisions, and Carr said the agency was considering the request. Eight ABC-owned stations were ordered into early licence-renewal proceedings in April, despite their licences otherwise being due for renewal between 2028 and 2031.