FCC threatens ABC's licenses as Trumps call for Kimmel's firing

[0:00] The Federal Communications Commission is ramping up the pressure on ABC and Disney [0:04] by threatening to strip broadcasters of their station licenses. [0:08] The FCC says the review of the licenses is tied to Disney's DEI initiatives, [0:13] but it's widely seen as retaliation in the ongoing battle between President Trump and ABC [0:18] and its late-night host, Jimmy Kimmel. [0:21] On his show last week, Kimmel parodied Saturday's White House Correspondents Dinner in advance, [0:26] delivering a mock roast, which included this joke about the Trumps. [0:31] And of course, our First Lady Melania is here. [0:35] Look at Melania, so beautiful. [0:36] Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow. [0:40] Kimmel later said it was a joke about their age difference, [0:43] but following the shooting at the dinner, the First Lady yesterday wrote a post on X [0:48] criticizing Kimmel, saying he, quote, [0:50] deepens the political sickness in America and that people like Kimmel shouldn't have the opportunity [0:55] to enter our homes each evening to spread hate. [0:59] That was echoed by the president, who said Disney should fire Kimmel, [1:03] and then reiterated by press secretary Caroline Levitt. [1:07] Just two days prior to the shooting, ABC's late-night host Jimmy Kimmel [1:11] disgustingly called First Lady Melania Trump an expectant widow. [1:16] Who in their right minds says a wife would be glowing over the potential murder of her beloved husband? [1:21] This kind of rhetoric about the president, the First Lady, and his supporters is completely deranged, [1:26] and it's unbelievable that the American people are consuming it night after night after night. [1:32] For his part, Kimmel said last night that this is all a matter of free speech. [1:37] For more on all of this, we're joined now by CNN's chief media analyst, [1:41] Brian Stelter, who's outside ABC's New York headquarters. [1:44] Brian, thanks for making time for us. [1:46] So the FCC says the timing of this license review coming within 24 hours of President Trump criticizing Kimmel [1:53] is coincidental. [1:55] How credible is that claim given the sequence of events? [1:59] Well, I don't know any legal experts or FCC experts who believe that claim. [2:04] It is true there's been an open investigation of Disney involving the company's diversity practices, [2:09] DEI programs. [2:10] That's been going on for quite some time. [2:12] And it is true that just last week, Disney turned over some documents in that probe. [2:16] So that's going to give the Trump-aligned FCC chairman, Brendan Carr, [2:20] the excuse or the rationale or the story that he can tell publicly about why this is happening. [2:26] But listen, we've heard President Trump threaten local TV station licenses for more than a year now. [2:32] This is the first concrete action that the government's taking to follow up on those threats. [2:36] He is calling in, the Carr is calling in these licenses for early renewal, [2:40] which is a way to challenge the licensees. [2:43] And it's going to cause a protracted legal battle. [2:46] But the action today is being called by the lone Democrat on the FCC, Anna Gomez, [2:50] quote, [2:51] the most egregious action the FCC has taken in violation of the First Amendment to date. [2:57] She basically says Brendan Carr heard Trump's complaint, [3:00] and today he's answering the president's call. [3:03] The last time the FCC revoked a broadcast license related to a station's programming was in 1969. [3:10] There was a station in Jackson, Mississippi, which defended segregation on the air. [3:15] What are the realistic outcomes here? [3:17] Are we talking fines, conditions on licenses, or something more severe? [3:22] I think the process is mostly the punishment here. [3:24] It is unlikely that ABC would have its station licenses in eight cities where it owns stations. [3:30] It's unlikely those would actually be revoked. [3:32] And if the FCC does try to revoke those licenses, again, it'll cause a protracted legal battle. [3:37] ABC can appeal, and there's lots of legal rationale or legal history to believe that ABC would win. [3:45] But here's the thing. [3:47] Disney would have to be willing to fight. [3:49] That's the big question here. [3:51] Will Disney fight it out in court? [3:53] Now, today, the company came out with a statement that says it believes it's confident it will prevail, [3:57] and it did cite the First Amendment. [3:59] And my sources at Disney say they're willing to fight this First Amendment battle. [4:03] But will that be true over a period of months and maybe even years? [4:06] We don't know. [4:08] And by the way, this might not just be about Kimmel or about DEI programs, for that matter. [4:13] In this building is the ABT daytime talk show, The View. [4:16] And FCC officials have also been scrutinizing The View over alleged equal time violations. [4:22] So basically, if you're the head of Disney, you have government pressure from multiple directions right now. [4:27] This is a big test for the new CEO, Josh DiAmaro, who just took over for Bob Iger six weeks ago. [4:32] But so far, at least, my sources say he is willing to stiffen his spine and push back because this sure looks like a First Amendment clash. [4:42] And how are other broadcasters watching all of this, Brian, based on your reporting? [4:47] Well, right now, you know, we're talking about a handful of big companies and, you know, of course, PBS as well. [4:53] Broadcasters that are licensed by the federal government, channels like the one I work, CNN, they're not licensed by the federal government. [5:00] But this action that we are seeing from the government, it does potentially have a chilling effect all across the mainstream media. [5:06] But I am heartened to say that when we've seen these other First Amendment stress tests in America during Trump 2.0, [5:13] America has been passing the test, maybe not with an A-plus grade. [5:16] But remember last September when Kimmel was briefly pulled off the air, when there was another controversy, and then he was brought back less than a week later? [5:23] That's an example of Disney recognizing that it has to defend its stars and defend the right of comedians and, yes, journalists, too, to speak freely. [5:33] Normally, gosh, when we cover political leaders trying to silence a comedian, we're usually talking about authoritarian regimes. [5:40] But right now, it's happening here in America. [5:42] CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter, good to see you. [5:46] Thanks for being with us. [6:04] Support journalism you trust. [6:06] Support PBS News. [6:08] Donate now, or even better, start a monthly contribution today.