Disney-owned ABC filed a lawsuit against the FCC and the Trump administration, alleging a retaliatory campaign of license threats. ABC claims the FCC ordered early license renewal reviews for eight of its stations as punishment for a Jimmy Kimmel joke about Melania Trump, calling it unconstitutional suppression of speech. The lawsuit seeks to block the FCC's review, marking a sharp escalation in the conflict between the administration and major media over free speech.
- ABC sued the FCC and the Trump administration, alleging a First Amendment violation through retaliatory regulation.
- The lawsuit stems from a Jimmy Kimmel joke about Melania Trump, after which the FCC ordered early license renewal reviews for eight ABC stations.
- ABC argues the FCC's action is unconstitutional punishment for editorial content and seeks to block the review process.