By Armando Hernandez
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ordered an early review of the licenses of all ABC-owned television stations on Tuesday.in an unusual move that coincides with the escalation of the conflict between President Donald Trump and host Jimmy Kimmel.
According to an official document, the agency considered “essential” to advance the renewal of licenses under the public interest standard contemplated in the Communications Law, granting The Walt Disney Firm a period of 30 days, until May 28, 2026, to submit the corresponding applications.
The decision directly affects eight key stations in markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia, whose licenses were originally not due to be renewed until 2028 or even later.. The FCC relies on a rarely used provision that allows it to advance this process if it deems it necessary for an ongoing investigation.
The movement was built in the midst of a strong controversy between Trump and Kimmel, host of “Jimmy Kimmel Are Living!” Last week, the comedian performed a skit about the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, in which he joked about the first lady, Melania Trump.
Among the most controversial comments, Kimmel said: “Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.” Afterwards, the first lady described the message as “rhetoric of hate and violence” and asked ABC to “take action,” while Trump demanded the immediate firing of the presenter, calling the joke “a despicable call to violence.”
In response, Kimmel defended his monologue and assured that “it was a joke” and not “a call to murder.”
Although the FCC maintains that the review responds to an investigation into the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies of Disney and ABC, multiple analysts and political actors consider that the background is political, as mentioned by Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez, who described the measure as “politically motivated” and warned that it could violate the First Amendment, which protects freedom of expression.
In this context, the early review of ABC licenses is emerging not only as an administrative procedurebut as a key episode in the growing tension between the White House and the media.
Keep reading:
- Correspondents’ Dinner Shooter Accused of Trying to Assassinate Trump
- Melania Trump accuses host Jimmy Kimmel of “sowing hate” and asks ABC to take a position on the matter
- How the attacker could get so close to Trump and other questions raised by the shooting at the dinner correspondents
