The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has opened an unusual review of ABC’s broadcast licenses. The move came one day after Donald Trump and Melania Trump called on the network to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over a recent joke.
The FCC rarely takes this step. No major TV station licenses are due for renewal until 2028. Revoking a license is also very hard under US law. Still, the FCC has ordered ABC’s parent company, The Walt Disney Company, to file early renewal applications for its stations by May 28.
The agency said it has the power to do this when it needs to review a broadcaster’s conduct. It said the move will help it check whether ABC has met its public interest duties.
The review appears tied to two issues. One is the FCC’s ongoing probe into Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has argued that some DEI practices may break rules against discrimination. The agency said it is looking into possible violations of the Communications Act of 1934.
The second issue is timing. Reports suggest the review moved faster after Kimmel made a joke about Melania Trump during a comedy segment. In the skit, Kimmel joked that she looked like an “expectant widow.” He also made a separate remark about how the Trumps met.
FCC Scrutiny and the Battle Over Free Speech
The joke sparked a sharp reaction. Donald Trump posted online that Kimmel’s comments were harmful. He linked the joke to a security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where a man was stopped with weapons. Trump called for Kimmel to be fired. Melania Trump also criticized the comedian and said such content should not be aired in homes.
Kimmel pushed back on his show. He said the joke was mild and focused on the couple’s age gap. He denied that it encouraged violence. He also said he has spoken out against gun violence for years.
Disney responded in a statement. The company said ABC has a long record of following FCC rules and serving local communities. It said it is ready to defend its position through legal channels.
The FCC’s action has drawn strong criticism. Anna Gomez, the only Democratic commissioner, called the move an attack on the First Amendment. She said it looks like political pressure on a media company. She warned that such steps could harm free speech.
Media advocacy groups share that concern. Free Press said the early renewal demand is a rare and serious escalation. Its leaders argue the timing suggests the review is tied to Kimmel’s joke rather than policy issues.
Carr has targeted ABC before. In 2025, he raised concerns about Kimmel’s show under the FCC’s “news distortion” policy, a rule that is rarely enforced. He also questioned whether talk shows like The View should follow equal-time rules, though such programs have long been treated as exempt.
Launch of Early License Review of ABC Stations, Sparking Free Speech Debate
So far, many of these probes have not led to penalties. Still, they can create pressure. Large media companies may face delays or added scrutiny in other matters, such as mergers or approvals.
ABC owns eight major TV stations across cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Their licenses were not due for renewal for several years. This early review changes that timeline.
The broader issue now is how far the FCC can go in reviewing content and company policies. Supporters of the move say the agency must ensure fairness and compliance with the law. Critics say it risks crossing into political control of the media.
The case may end up in court. Legal experts expect a fight over free speech and the limits of federal power. The outcome could shape how regulators deal with broadcasters in the future.
For now, ABC must respond to the FCC’s order. The review process will test both the company’s record and the agency’s authority.
