Disney sues Trump's FCC alleging retaliation over Jimmy Kimmel joke

Published Aug 18, 01:14 PM UTC

Disney and ABC have filed a lawsuit against President Trump's Federal Communications Commission (FCC), alleging the administration is retaliating against the network for its broadcast content, specifically a joke by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. The lawsuit claims the FCC's demand that eight ABC stations file early broadcast license renewals—years ahead of schedule and with only 30 days to prepare—is an unconstitutional attack on free speech. The suit cites President Trump's Truth Social posts calling for Kimmel's termination as evidence of bias. The conflict began after Kimmel joked about First Lady Melania Trump. The lawsuit also references FCC pressure on ABC over Kimmel's comments about Charlie Kirk and a probe into the talk show 'The View.' Disney's legal action is framed as an aggressive defense of media freedom.