U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to a state visit in Britain, Sept. 16, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
President Donald Trump on Thursday suggested that the federal government might revoke the licenses of broadcast television networks that are “against” him.
Trump’s comment came a day after ABC suspended airing the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” show because of comments its host made linking the alleged killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk to Trump’s MAGA movement.
“I have read someplace that the networks were 97% against me, again, 97% negative, and yet I won and easily, all 7 swing states,” Trump told reporters, referring to his 2024 election win.
“They give me only bad publicity, press. I mean, they’re getting a license,” Trump said, according to audio from a press gaggle aboard Air Force One provided by the White House.
“I would think maybe their license should be taken away,” Trump said.
The president said that the decision “will be up to Brendan Carr,” the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
Carr earlier Thursday told CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” that “we’re not done yet” with changes in “the media ecosystem” that are consequences of Trump’s election.
“I think Brendan Carr is outstanding, he’s a patriot,” said Trump, who nominated Carr to his position. “He loves our country, and he’s a tough guy. So we’ll have to see.”
Broadcast television stations affiliated with networks, including ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox, must receive a license from the FCC to operate since their content is transmitted over the air, and is technically free for viewers as long as they have an antenna.
That contrasts with cable TV networks, whose subscribers pay fees to distributors to watch.
— CNBC’s Lillian Rizzo contributed to this story.
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