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FCC orders review of ABC licenses after Kimmel joke offends Trump and first lady

The FCC has ordered an early license review of ABC's TV stations, citing an ongoing investigation into Disney's DEI practices and a controversial joke by Jimmy Kimmel about Melania Trump. The move is unusual given the difficulty of license revocation and the lack of pending renewals until 2028. This reflects heightened political tensions around media regulation and free speech.

Background

The FCC regulates US broadcast licenses under the Communications Act, requiring stations to serve the public interest. License revocation is rare and legally arduous, typically reserved for severe violations.

Source
Ars Technica
Published
Apr 29, 2026 at 03:57 AM
Score
6.0 / 10