ABC Sues FCC Over Trump-Backed Retaliation Threats

Walt Disney-owned ABC has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in a federal district court in Washington. The network accuses the FCC of waging a retaliatory campaign on behalf of the Trump administration, which it claims is motivated by disapproval of ABC's broadcasts.

The suit alleges that the FCC asked ABC TV stations to renew their broadcast licenses earlier than scheduled, citing a single reason for the request: ABC's speech. The network notes that President Donald Trump has personally lashed out at ABC and its late-night host Jimmy Kimmel on numerous occasions, suggesting revocation of the network's broadcasting licenses.

The FCC's demand for early license renewal is seen as an attempt to coerce and retaliate against a network that refuses to bow to the administration's demands. The suit states that 'Facing this existential threat, Plaintiffs have no choice but to seek redress from the judicial branch for the Administration's blatant retaliation for their First Amendment speech.'

ABC and Disney are seeking a restraining order to prevent the FCC from taking any action against the network's broadcasting licenses, which were not up for renewal until 2028.