Just weeks before his inauguration, President-elect Donald Trump and his incoming administration have already set their sights on Disney and its influential CEO, Bob Iger. While the transition of power officially occurs in January, Trump’s team has wasted no time voicing concerns about perceived media bias, specifically targeting ABC News, a Disney subsidiary.
Brendan Carr’s Letter Sparks Controversy
Leading the charge is Brendan Carr, a Trump ally and former FCC chairman, who has openly criticized ABC News for its handling of political coverage. In a recent letter addressed to Bob Iger, Carr expressed dissatisfaction with ABC’s reporting, stating that Americans “no longer trust the national news media to report fully, accurately, and fairly.”
Related: Disney Reverses Course, as It Realizes Politics Aren’t ‘Good For Business’
The letter, shared by CNN’s Brian Stelter on X (formerly Twitter), also highlighted the network’s controversial $15 million settlement with Donald Trump. The legal dispute stemmed from comments made on Good Morning America by George Stephanopoulos, who falsely claimed Trump had been found liable for rape.
In reality, a judge had only ruled on charges of sexual assault in the E. Jean Carroll case. Trump’s successful legal challenge against ABC underscored his contentious relationship with the media giant.
Here’s the full letter from incoming FCC chair Brendan Carr to Disney CEO Bob Iger about ABC’s negotiations with affiliates – and about trust in media writ large
Here’s the full letter from incoming FCC chair Brendan Carr to Disney CEO Bob Iger about ABC’s negotiations with affiliates – and about trust in media writ large pic.twitter.com/ARO0onozcy
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) December 24, 2024
A Complicated Relationship With the Media
Trump’s ongoing feud with ABC News dates back to his presidency, during which he frequently accused the network of disseminating “fake news.” This tension peaked during the 2020 election cycle, with ABC dedicating significant airtime to scrutinizing Trump’s policies and actions. For Trump, ABC became emblematic of what he saw as widespread media bias against conservative leaders.
The incoming administration’s efforts to “keep an eye” on ABC raise questions about potential government overreach. Carr’s letter also mentions Trump’s desire to reevaluate the broadcast licenses of major networks like ABC, NBC, and CBS, a move that could have significant implications for media freedom in the United States.
Local News Outlets and the Trust Divide
Interestingly, Carr’s letter distinguishes between ABC’s national programming and its local affiliates, which operate independently. He emphasizes the importance of preserving retransmission consent revenues for these local stations, which rely on the funds to invest in community-based reporting.
“The fact that a massive trust divide has emerged between local news outlets and national programmers like ABC only increases the importance of retransmission consent revenues remaining available for local broadcast TV stations to invest in their local news operations and content that serves their communities,” Carr wrote.
The Broader Implications
While ABC is unlikely to lose its broadcast license, the Trump administration’s pointed criticisms highlight the growing divide between political leaders and the media.
This tension underscores broader questions about the role of journalism in a polarized society. Will Trump’s administration follow through on its threats, or is this another chapter in the ongoing war of words between politicians and the press?
For now, all eyes are on Disney and its CEO. As Trump’s inauguration approaches, the entertainment giant must navigate a delicate balance between maintaining its journalistic integrity and avoiding further clashes with the incoming administration.
What do you think of Brendan Carr’s letter and Trump’s stance on Disney? Should the government have the power to strip broadcast licenses, or is that a step too far? Share your thoughts below!
