Disney Sues Trump Administration Over ABC Station Licenses

Disney and its subsidiary ABC News have filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of wielding regulatory power to punish political opponents. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, specifically targets a decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to demand early renewal of broadcast licenses for ABC's eight local TV stations.

The FCC's order, issued in April, required the stations to seek renewal far ahead of their original deadline in late 2028. Disney and ABC allege in their suit that this expedited timeline reveals the commission's "true purpose: coercing and retaliating against a network that refuses to bow to the Administration’s demands."

The action was initiated under FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who Disney and ABC claim has pursued President Trump's political battles through the agency. The FCC has stated its review of ABC's licenses is due to concerns stemming from the company's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. This review followed President Trump's calls for ABC host Jimmy Kimmel's termination after a joke about Melania Trump.

Disney and ABC are seeking a temporary restraining order to halt the license renewal process. They argue that an FCC hearing, rather than an automatic renewal, could lead to the revocation of their broadcast licenses. Former FCC officials have also warned that such actions create a chilling effect on broadcasters nationwide.