Disney fights FCC probe into ABC, calling it a ‘guillotine’

Yesterday, Disney attorney Beth Wilkinson asked a federal judge to halt the Trump administration’s early review of ABC’s broadcast licenses, warning that the outlet is effectively facing a “guillotine.”

Disney sued the FCC on First Amendment grounds in August after the commission, under Chairman Brendan Carr, took the unusual step of initiating early license renewal reviews for eight ABC-owned stations years before expiration.

The lawsuit claims the administration is retaliating against the channel following President Donald Trump’s frequent attacks on ABC news coverage, daytime talk show The View, and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.

The FCC’s April review order notably came one day after Trump posted online that Kimmel “should be immediately fired.” The comedian has joked about the president and First Lady Melania Trump.

The commission defends the move as a legitimate investigation into Disney’s DEI policies and alleged discriminatory employment practices.