**Excerpt:** President Donald Trump suggests revoking broadcast licenses for networks that predominantly feature negative coverage about him and the Republican Party.
Key Points:
– Trump criticized media networks for negative coverage on Truth Social.
– He proposed terminating licenses for networks with “almost 100% Negative” reporting.
– The comments followed criticisms aimed at late-night host Stephen Colbert.
– Trump has previously suggested that the decision to revoke licenses should be made by the FCC.
– The FCC’s website states that broadcasters are responsible for their content, with First Amendment protections against censorship.
Trump’s Remarks on Broadcast Licenses
President Donald Trump expressed his views early Wednesday on the termination of TV broadcast licenses. He stated that if networks’ news programs and late-night shows are overwhelmingly negative towards him and the Republican Party, their valuable broadcast licenses should be revoked.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “If Network NEWSCASTS, and their Late Night Shows, are almost 100% Negative to President Donald J. Trump, MAGA, and the Republican Party, shouldn’t their very valuable Broadcast Licenses be terminated? I say, YES!”
Criticism of Late-Night Shows
The comments were made shortly after Trump criticized Stephen Colbert, the host of “The Late Show,” labeling him a “pathetic trainwreck” with no talent. Colbert’s show is scheduled to end in May 2026, and Trump remarked on the host’s declining ratings, suggesting CBS should “put him to sleep” for humanitarian reasons.
Trump also generalized his criticism to include other late-night hosts, questioning which network has the “worst Late Night host” and claiming all such shows share three common traits: high salaries, lack of talent, and low ratings.
Previous Statements on Broadcast Licenses
This isn’t the first time Trump has voiced frustration with negative media coverage. Earlier this year, he mentioned the possibility of revoking broadcast licenses for networks that report unfavorably on him. He indicated that the decision should fall to Brendan Carr, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The FCC issues eight-year licenses to individual broadcast stations, many of which are affiliated with major television networks.
FCC Response and First Amendment Rights
In response to Trump’s remarks, the FCC had no immediate comment. Major networks, including ABC, CBS, and NBC, also did not provide a response. The FCC’s website emphasizes that broadcasters, not the government, are responsible for their content, and it highlights that the First Amendment and the Communications Act prevent any censorship of broadcast material.
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