Disney and ABC allege the FCC is violating the First Amendment "by launching pretextual regulatory investigations and threatening the Stations' valuable broadcast licenses through early license renewal proceedings—all to punish Plaintiffs for content and viewpoints the Administration dislikes."
Reuters: DISNEY AND ITS ABC UNIT SUE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION SEEKING COURT ORDER TO END EARLY LICENSE RENEWAL PROCEEDING
August 18, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Disney and ABC allege the FCC is violating the First Amendment "by launching pretextual regulatory investigations and threatening the Stations' valuable broadcast licenses through early license renewal proceedings—all to punish Plaintiffs for content and viewpoints the Administration dislikes."
US President Donald Trump ordered the nation's independent nuclear regulatory commission to cut down on regulations and fast-track new licenses for reactors and power plants, seeking to shrink a multi-year process down to 18 months reut.rs/4dvzCs9
Trump seeks to fast-track new nuclear licenses, overhaul regulatory agency
U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the nation's independent nuclear regulatory commission to cut down on regulations and fast-track new licenses for reactors and power plants on Friday, seeking to shrink a multi-year process down to 18 months.
reut.rs
May 23, 2025 at 6:31 PM
US President Donald Trump ordered the nation's independent nuclear regulatory commission to cut down on regulations and fast-track new licenses for reactors and power plants, seeking to shrink a multi-year process down to 18 months reut.rs/4dvzCs9
Four former FCC chairs — including Reagan’s and Dubya’s own appointees — just called the FCC’s review of ABC’s licenses “an assault on free speech disguised as regulatory process.”
Carr ordered the review one day after Trump demanded Jimmy Kimmel be fired.
A #SheShed 🧵
Carr ordered the review one day after Trump demanded Jimmy Kimmel be fired.
A #SheShed 🧵
Former FCC Chairs Call Review Of ABC Licenses "An Assault On Free Speech"
The former agency officials signed on to a filing attacking the early renewal process ordered by the Trump administration.
deadline.com
August 1, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Four former FCC chairs — including Reagan’s and Dubya’s own appointees — just called the FCC’s review of ABC’s licenses “an assault on free speech disguised as regulatory process.”
Carr ordered the review one day after Trump demanded Jimmy Kimmel be fired.
A #SheShed 🧵
Carr ordered the review one day after Trump demanded Jimmy Kimmel be fired.
A #SheShed 🧵
tRump family didn't come back to serve
They came back to get paid
THE PEDOPHILE signs the order
Junior cashs the check
Buys into companies
Then gets federal contracts Federal loans
Regulatory favors
Licenses they were previously banned from holding
The returns? 200%
Not capitalism
A shakedown
They came back to get paid
THE PEDOPHILE signs the order
Junior cashs the check
Buys into companies
Then gets federal contracts Federal loans
Regulatory favors
Licenses they were previously banned from holding
The returns? 200%
Not capitalism
A shakedown
July 25, 2026 at 12:07 PM
tRump family didn't come back to serve
They came back to get paid
THE PEDOPHILE signs the order
Junior cashs the check
Buys into companies
Then gets federal contracts Federal loans
Regulatory favors
Licenses they were previously banned from holding
The returns? 200%
Not capitalism
A shakedown
They came back to get paid
THE PEDOPHILE signs the order
Junior cashs the check
Buys into companies
Then gets federal contracts Federal loans
Regulatory favors
Licenses they were previously banned from holding
The returns? 200%
Not capitalism
A shakedown
"By reopening this complaint, the commission is signaling to broadcasters that it intends to act at the behest of the White House...threatening the regulatory licenses of broadcasters whose news outlets produce coverage that does not pass muster in the President’s view." - 5 former FCC commissioners
www.aei.org
May 7, 2025 at 12:32 PM
"By reopening this complaint, the commission is signaling to broadcasters that it intends to act at the behest of the White House...threatening the regulatory licenses of broadcasters whose news outlets produce coverage that does not pass muster in the President’s view." - 5 former FCC commissioners
Brazil's Lula bans online betting ahead of presidential election
The executive order reverses a regulatory framework the government created less than two years ago, and betting companies say they will seek compensation for licenses.
www.courthousenews.com/brazils-lula...
The executive order reverses a regulatory framework the government created less than two years ago, and betting companies say they will seek compensation for licenses.
www.courthousenews.com/brazils-lula...
Brazil's Lula bans online betting ahead of presidential election
The executive order reverses a regulatory framework the government created less than two years ago, and betting companies say they will seek compensation for licenses.
www.courthousenews.com
September 26, 2026 at 2:08 AM
Brazil's Lula bans online betting ahead of presidential election
The executive order reverses a regulatory framework the government created less than two years ago, and betting companies say they will seek compensation for licenses.
www.courthousenews.com/brazils-lula...
The executive order reverses a regulatory framework the government created less than two years ago, and betting companies say they will seek compensation for licenses.
www.courthousenews.com/brazils-lula...
Minneapolis City Council currently discussing whether to renew liquor licenses for two downtown hotels who've been alleged to house ICE agents or to have regulatory staff investigate safety concerns and explore potential conditions that might be placed on license renewal.
February 17, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Minneapolis City Council currently discussing whether to renew liquor licenses for two downtown hotels who've been alleged to house ICE agents or to have regulatory staff investigate safety concerns and explore potential conditions that might be placed on license renewal.
It’s also why its been ten years of the GOP weaponizing the DMV and identification and licenses and “papers”. Why Trump (and Elon and Thiel et al) have it out for the regulatory state — its all a signifier of the power to recall everybody else’s credential.
June 12, 2025 at 8:46 PM
It’s also why its been ten years of the GOP weaponizing the DMV and identification and licenses and “papers”. Why Trump (and Elon and Thiel et al) have it out for the regulatory state — its all a signifier of the power to recall everybody else’s credential.
Be warned everyone that this tidbit by Trump likely refers to a plan by certain techbros to run their own nuclear power plants. People need to fight hard against any effort to weaken the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which grants licenses and ensures safe operation of nuclear energy facilities.
Are you worrying about electricity costs? Great news: the AI companies that are using all our electricity are going to make their very own electricity plants which will lower prices in a "substantialful" way
February 25, 2026 at 2:58 AM
Be warned everyone that this tidbit by Trump likely refers to a plan by certain techbros to run their own nuclear power plants. People need to fight hard against any effort to weaken the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which grants licenses and ensures safe operation of nuclear energy facilities.
Brazil's Lula bans online betting ahead of presidential election
www.courthousenews.com/brazils-lula...
www.courthousenews.com/brazils-lula...
Brazil's Lula bans online betting ahead of presidential election
The executive order reverses a regulatory framework the government created less than two years ago, and betting companies say they will seek compensation for licenses.
www.courthousenews.com
September 26, 2026 at 1:13 AM
Brazil's Lula bans online betting ahead of presidential election
www.courthousenews.com/brazils-lula...
www.courthousenews.com/brazils-lula...
Though of course as others have noted, the real threat is less about the broadcast licenses as such than it is merger approvals and other regulatory levers.
September 18, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Though of course as others have noted, the real threat is less about the broadcast licenses as such than it is merger approvals and other regulatory levers.
Breaking News: ABC sued the FCC, asking a court to block the agency’s aggressive regulatory moves.
ABC Sues F.C.C. to Block Threat to Its TV Licenses
The network asked a court to stop the agency from taking steps that could force ABC stations off the air and accused the F.C.C. of violating its First Amendment rights.
nyti.ms
August 18, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Breaking News: ABC sued the FCC, asking a court to block the agency’s aggressive regulatory moves.
I work in accreditation, and I don’t see the regulatory authority by which the Trump administration can do this. Drivers licenses are issued by the states not the federal government. Additionally, by definition, accreditation is a third-party, not an arm of the fed government. #TrumpLies
December 1, 2025 at 11:27 PM
I work in accreditation, and I don’t see the regulatory authority by which the Trump administration can do this. Drivers licenses are issued by the states not the federal government. Additionally, by definition, accreditation is a third-party, not an arm of the fed government. #TrumpLies
“Binance has won three separate licenses from Abu Dhabi’s financial regulator”
Previously: Abu Dhabi-state backed MGX invested $2B in Binance via Trump’s USD1 stable coin
Previously: Abu Dhabi-state backed MGX invested $2B in Binance via Trump’s USD1 stable coin
December 8, 2025 at 2:35 PM
“Binance has won three separate licenses from Abu Dhabi’s financial regulator”
Previously: Abu Dhabi-state backed MGX invested $2B in Binance via Trump’s USD1 stable coin
Previously: Abu Dhabi-state backed MGX invested $2B in Binance via Trump’s USD1 stable coin
ABC and Disney strenuously pushed back against the FCC’s review of their eight local broadcast licenses, claiming that the review is driven by President Trump’s long-running disdain for the network’s coverage rather than genuine regulatory concern.
Disney and ABC argue Trump administration is reviewing licenses as punishment
The media company said the FCC’s renewal process violates the First Amendment and is intended to punish ABC for news coverage it dislikes.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 30, 2026 at 5:45 PM
ABC and Disney strenuously pushed back against the FCC’s review of their eight local broadcast licenses, claiming that the review is driven by President Trump’s long-running disdain for the network’s coverage rather than genuine regulatory concern.
Former FCC chairs and officials call agency’s early review of ABC licenses “an assault on free speech disguised as regulatory process”
Read more from @tedstew.bsky.social in @deadline.com:
Read more from @tedstew.bsky.social in @deadline.com:
Former FCC Chairs Call Review Of ABC Licenses "An Assault On Free Speech"
The former agency officials signed on to a filing attacking the early renewal process ordered by the Trump administration.
deadline.com
July 29, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Former FCC chairs and officials call agency’s early review of ABC licenses “an assault on free speech disguised as regulatory process”
Read more from @tedstew.bsky.social in @deadline.com:
Read more from @tedstew.bsky.social in @deadline.com:
7/ **LEGAL CHALLENGES**
Challenge Mayoral Development Orders, compulsory purchase orders, 25-year licenses, and “regulatory sandboxes” that suspend protections. These zones depend on legal frameworks that can be contested.
Challenge Mayoral Development Orders, compulsory purchase orders, 25-year licenses, and “regulatory sandboxes” that suspend protections. These zones depend on legal frameworks that can be contested.
October 31, 2025 at 10:37 AM
7/ **LEGAL CHALLENGES**
Challenge Mayoral Development Orders, compulsory purchase orders, 25-year licenses, and “regulatory sandboxes” that suspend protections. These zones depend on legal frameworks that can be contested.
Challenge Mayoral Development Orders, compulsory purchase orders, 25-year licenses, and “regulatory sandboxes” that suspend protections. These zones depend on legal frameworks that can be contested.
Europe has a lot of regulatory leverage over Starlink if we wanted to use it (like taking away their operating licenses).
February 22, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Europe has a lot of regulatory leverage over Starlink if we wanted to use it (like taking away their operating licenses).
i think it's bad journalism to frame this as "Disney's TV licenses" because that's what Carr wants people to think. the licenses exist far further down at the ABC TV station level but Carr wants to be seen as having regulatory control over Disney
www.semafor.com/article/04/2...
www.semafor.com/article/04/2...
Exclusive: FCC prepares review of Disney’s TV licenses
Potential move could strip ABC of its ability to broadcast to stations across the country following Jimmy Kimmel’s “expectant widow” monologue comments.
www.semafor.com
April 28, 2026 at 2:53 PM
i think it's bad journalism to frame this as "Disney's TV licenses" because that's what Carr wants people to think. the licenses exist far further down at the ABC TV station level but Carr wants to be seen as having regulatory control over Disney
www.semafor.com/article/04/2...
www.semafor.com/article/04/2...
5/ Orbán didn’t stop there. He crushed the few outlets that remained independent. Regulatory bodies packed with loyalists denied broadcast licenses, levied fines, and drowned them in bureaucracy. Many folded under financial pressure or fear of retaliation.
January 17, 2025 at 3:21 AM
5/ Orbán didn’t stop there. He crushed the few outlets that remained independent. Regulatory bodies packed with loyalists denied broadcast licenses, levied fines, and drowned them in bureaucracy. Many folded under financial pressure or fear of retaliation.
ABC says the FCC has wielded its regulatory power to punish and pressure the company through investigations and threats to strip local stations of their broadcast licenses. https://to.pbs.org/4zl7r9P
ABC says FCC waging a retaliatory campaign violating free speech rights
ABC sued the FCC, arguing the agency is waging a retaliatory campaign of censorship against the broadcast network, violating its right to free speech. ABC says the commission has wielded its regulator...
to.pbs.org
August 19, 2026 at 1:20 AM
ABC says the FCC has wielded its regulatory power to punish and pressure the company through investigations and threats to strip local stations of their broadcast licenses. https://to.pbs.org/4zl7r9P
Report back from regulatory staff shows no compliance or 311/911 issues with these hotels. Public comment has been mixed for and against. Staff recommends approval of the licenses.
Minneapolis City Council currently discussing whether to renew liquor licenses for two downtown hotels who've been alleged to house ICE agents or to have regulatory staff investigate safety concerns and explore potential conditions that might be placed on license renewal.
February 19, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Report back from regulatory staff shows no compliance or 311/911 issues with these hotels. Public comment has been mixed for and against. Staff recommends approval of the licenses.
- it's that this admin is very creative in finding regulatory blockades to force compliance. Here, the admin used CFIUS; in Paramount, it's broadcast licenses.
Next time, it will be environmental clearances or something else.
Next time, it will be environmental clearances or something else.
June 18, 2025 at 8:02 AM
- it's that this admin is very creative in finding regulatory blockades to force compliance. Here, the admin used CFIUS; in Paramount, it's broadcast licenses.
Next time, it will be environmental clearances or something else.
Next time, it will be environmental clearances or something else.