Trump takes aim at FCC review of broadcast ownership cap
President Donald Trump has expressed reservations about proposals to relax the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) rules on media ownership limits, casting doubt on Nexstar Media Group’s planned $6.2 billion acquisition of TEGNA. Trump warned that easing thes rules could strengthen major liberal networks like NBC and ABC-which he often criticizes as biased-and possibly expand the spread of what he calls “fake news.” On Truth Social, he described these networks as “a virtual arm of the Democrat party” and opposed policy changes that would increase their reach.
The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, is considering whether to keep, raise, or eliminate the existing cap that restricts any company from owning stations that reach more than 39% of U.S. households-a limit set in the Reagan era. Carr supports removing the cap and believes the FCC has the authority to do so without Congress. The National Association of Broadcasters backs this move, and Nexstar argues that loosening ownership restrictions is necessary to allow local broadcasters to compete fairly with large digital platforms.
Meanwhile,Nexstar insists that digital platforms already dominate the market and that reform is needed to address their monopolistic power. They maintain optimism about completing their merger with TEGNA and support regulatory updates,aligning partially with Trump’s criticism of legacy media’s influence but differing on the path forward.
The FCC is currently conducting a quadrennial review of broadcast ownership rules, soliciting public comments on the issue, but a final decision on the ownership cap has not yet been made.
Trump signals caution on raising media ownership limits
President Donald Trump expressed unease with proposals to loosen the Federal Communications Commission‘s station-ownership rules, injecting fresh doubt into Nexstar Media Group‘s planned $6.2 billion takeover of TEGNA.
Trump suggested the proposal would ultimately bolster the major liberal networks he frequently criticizes, pointing to NBC and ABC as examples, and warning it could expand the reach of “fake news.”
On Truth Social, he said changes that “would also allow the Radical Left Networks to ‘enlarge’” are something he “would not be happy” about, adding that he views outlets such as ABC and NBC as “A VIRTUAL ARM OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY.”
The post was in response to a Newsmax story in which CEO Chris Ruddy warned that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is advancing policies that would greatly expand the reach of major TV networks, including by clearing the way for a Nexstar-TEGNA merger. Ruddy argued the changes would disadvantage conservatives and weaken local journalism, and the report also noted a legal challenge claiming the FCC lacks the authority to alter ownership rules without Congress.
Federal rules bar any company from owning enough stations to reach more than 39% of U.S. households. Since June, Carr’s FCC has been reviewing whether to keep, raise, or scrap that Reagan-era ownership cap.
Carr has been a consistent advocate of scrapping the decades-old consolidation limits, arguing the FCC can lift the cap without needing approval from Congress. The National Association of Broadcasters, the industry’s main trade group, has thrown its support behind Carr’s position.
Trump did not mention Nexstar Media Group, even as the company pushes a $6.2 billion merger with TEGNA that, if approved, would leave the combined broadcaster reaching roughly 80% of the country, well above the current 39% cap.
Nexstar said in a statement provided to the Washington Examiner that easing ownership limits would give local broadcasters a fairer shot against technology giants. The company maintained that digital platforms already dominate the information ecosystem and that broadcasters need more flexibility to compete.
“We continue to believe that the landscape is ripe for regulatory reform and that we are on the path to completing our transaction,” the company wrote. “We agree with President Trump that the status quo is no longer acceptable, nor should the government do anything to strengthen the stranglehold of legacy media and Big Tech on the marketplace of ideas.”
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“Those platforms already reach into every pocket, purse, and backpack in America, and the best way to disrupt their monopolistic power is to allow local broadcasters an opportunity to compete on a level playing field,” Nexstar said.
Although Carr has consistently backed loosening rules for local broadcasters, he has not said whether the FCC will eliminate the ownership cap. In September, the commission launched its quadrennial review of broadcast ownership regulations and is currently taking public comments.
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