Brendan Carr, the Trump-appointed chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has refuted claims that the agency is forcing ABC to apply early for license renewals as punishment for a joke made by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. Instead, Carr asserts that the renewal order is tied to an ongoing investigation into Disney and ABC's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Background of the Controversy
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, including the National Association of Broadcasters, which called it "nearly unprecedented." Republican Senator Ted Cruz also weighed in, stating that the FCC should not act as "the speech police." Press freedom organizations have condemned the move as an example of a disfavored network being penalized for editorial reasons.
Carr's Defense
Carr, the top media watchdog in the US, explained that the license renewal order stems from an investigation launched in March 2025 into Disney and ABC's DEI practices. He emphasized that the timing was coincidental, coming just a day after President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump called for Kimmel's dismissal. Kimmel was suspended by ABC last fall after joking that Melania Trump had "the glow like an expectant widow."
"This was a decision we made inside this building based on where we were in the enforcement matter," Carr said. "There was no pressure from the outside. There was no suggestion from the outside. There was no call for agency action from the outside."
Carr noted that the order followed Disney's submission of hundreds of documents, which he characterized as "not forthcoming." He stated, "We've been very clear that we're holding broadcasters accountable to their obligations, not just public interest standards, but Equal Employment Opportunity obligations. You can't discriminate based on race and gender, and there's evidence that Disney was doing that."
Democratic Commissioner's Rebuttal
Anna M. Gomez, the lone Democrat-appointed FCC commissioner, expressed skepticism. "This is clearly a pretext," she said in a press conference. "Give me a break. This is just another part of the pattern of harassment and retaliation to bend Disney to this administration's will."
Gomez highlighted that Comcast and NBCUniversal are also under FCC investigation for DEI practices. When asked about NBC's licenses, Carr said he had no update but noted that outcomes depend on individual investigations.
Broader Implications
Carr acknowledged the backlash he has faced for his recent decisions, quipping, "The New York Times has already written my obituary. It doesn't look good. I can't really do anything to improve that or hurt it at this point, so I am not really that bothered by it."
Gomez expressed confidence that Disney would prevail, stating, "There is no case here. I'm heartened that Disney's going to fight this because they will win." She warned that the renewal process could take "years," during which ABC can continue operating normally. However, she cautioned that Tuesday's order sets a dangerous precedent, potentially chilling other broadcasters. "This action is meant to warn others that they could be subject to similar action. It's unlawful, unprecedented, and doomed to fail, which is why people need to push back."
