FCC Chief Signals ABC Trump Speech Snub Could Shape License Review

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr tied ABC’s decision not to air President Trump’s address to the agency’s upcoming early review of ABC’s broadcast licenses, arguing broadcasters should carry presidential speeches in the public interest, even as the networks offered the speech via streaming. The review, already examining Disney’s DEI practices at ABC stations, could consider the broader implications of broadcasters’ obligations, while Democrat Commissioner Anna Gomez cautioned the FCC cannot punish First Amendment speech, framing the issue as a public‑interest question rather than censorship.