Trump threatens to revoke ABC and NBC licenses over negative stories
- Donald Trump criticized ABC and NBC for allegedly providing 97% negative coverage of his presidency.
- He claimed these networks are biased and act as an extension of the Democratic Party.
- Trump proposed that the FCC should revoke their licenses, emphasizing the perceived threat to democracy.
In August 2021, United States President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform to denounce ABC and NBC's news coverage of his administration. He claimed that the two networks were biased, branding them as 'FAKE NEWS' and accusing them of offering approximately '97%' negative coverage regarding his presidency. Trump’s assertions came during a period marked by contentious relations between him and various media outlets. He further suggested that these networks serve as an arm of the Democratic Party and expressed his support for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revoke their operating licenses. The criticisms from Trump came in the context of what he perceived as unfair reporting that did not align with his belief in the success of his administration. His claims regarding high poll numbers, stated to be the highest yet, contrasted sharply with actual polling data from organizations like Reuters/Ipsos, which reported an approval rating of just 40%. In response to perceived biased coverage, Trump reiterated his stance that media outlets should be penalized for such practices, suggesting they should 'pay up BIG' for their broadcast privileges. This situation exemplified Trump's ongoing battle with media institutions that he believed did not portray him favorably. Just weeks prior to these statements, Trump resolved a lawsuit against CBS following allegations that a segment edited the responses of Kamala Harris to make her appear more competent than he asserted. The political atmosphere at the time was also underscored by scrutiny around Trump's relationships with figures such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, leading to disapproval among the American public regarding perceived foreign relations} The implications of Trump's comments could potentially stir legal actions against media outlets, considering that any moves to revoke broadcast licenses could run afoul of First Amendment protections on freedom of speech. Legal precedents have often struck down similar attempts to penalize news organizations for their reporting styles. Trump's initiated threats underscore a broader trend of political figures increasingly attacking journalistic integrity as a means to mitigate unfavorable coverage. As the impacts of these developments unfold, it raises pertinent questions about the future of media freedom in a heavily polarized political environment.