FCC Chair Brendan Carr Reflects on Legacy Amid Crackdown on Media Critics

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by President Trump in January 2025, made a candid admission about his legacy in a recent interview with the Financial Times. Carr stated that he believes The New York Times has already written his obituary and that he can do little to alter its tone at this stage. This reflection comes amidst an aggressive regulatory campaign against media outlets perceived as hostile to the Trump administration. Carr has targeted major broadcasters, including threatening ABC over jokes made by Jimmy Kimmel and pressuring CBS to cancel an interview with a Democratic candidate on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Additionally, the FCC ordered early reviews of Disney-owned stations and investigated The View for hosting political figures. Critics view these actions as retaliatory measures aimed at silencing dissent, creating a chilling effect within the industry. Carr defended his tenure as bold, asserting that he took his shot at implementing significant changes, leaving the judgment of right and wrong to the public and history.