FCC orders review of ABC licenses after Kimmel joke offends Trump and first lady
Summary
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ordered ABC’s parent company, Disney, to file early renewal applications for its TV station licenses to allow a review of the broadcaster’s practices. This move follows President Trump and the First Lady’s criticism of a joke made by ABC host Jimmy Kimmel and an ongoing FCC investigation into Disney’s diversity and inclusion policies.Key Facts
- The FCC instructed Disney to submit early renewal applications for all ABC TV station licenses by May 28.
- Normally, TV station licenses are renewed many years in advance, and revoking them is very difficult.
- FCC Chairman Brendan Carr opposes Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts and has been investigating possible violations of discrimination rules.
- The review accelerated after Jimmy Kimmel joked about First Lady Melania Trump during a comedy skit, leading to public complaints from President Trump and the First Lady.
- Kimmel’s joke included comparing Melania Trump to an "expectant widow" and suggesting a connection between the Trumps and Jeffrey Epstein.
- ABC owns stations in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and others.
- Disney says it complies with FCC rules and is prepared to defend itself legally.
- Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized the FCC’s action as politically motivated and a threat to free speech.
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