{"id":2596277,"date":"2026-04-28T16:37:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T20:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fcc-challenges-abc-licensing-after-refusing-to-fire-jimmy-kimmel\/"},"modified":"2026-04-28T16:40:39","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T20:40:39","slug":"fcc-challenges-abc-licensing-after-refusing-to-fire-jimmy-kimmel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fcc-challenges-abc-licensing-after-refusing-to-fire-jimmy-kimmel\/","title":{"rendered":"FCC challenges ABC licensing after refusing to fire Jimmy Kimmel"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffcc-challenges-abc-licensing-after-refusing-to-fire-jimmy-kimmel%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2596277&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The FCC, under chairman Brendan Carr, has issued an early renewal order for all eight television station licenses ABC owns, directing Disney\/ABC to file renewals within 30 days (by May 28, 2026). The action follows the FCC\u2019s examination into whether the stations violated federal rules-particularly the prohibition on unlawful discrimination-linked to ABC\u2019s diversity,equity,and inclusion policies.<\/p>\n<p>The FCC move is also happening amid a broader political fight involving President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who has faced criticism and calls for removal over controversial jokes and remarks. Sources in the article say Disney\/ABC has denied wrongdoing and plans to respond through legal channels, emphasizing their long record of FCC compliance.<\/p>\n<p>One Democratic-nominated FCC commissioner, Anna Gomez, criticized the order as unprecedented and unlawful, arguing it\u2019s a political stunt that will not withstand legal challenge. Carr defended the approach, saying the FCC can accelerate review when it has significant concerns and that the agency may move to a hearing if it determines a broadcaster is not serving the public interest.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/federal-communications-commission\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1637\">Federal Communications Commission<\/a> is seeking early renewal for all eight station licenses owned by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/abc\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"622\">ABC<\/a> related to the broadcaster\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/dei\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3088\">diversity, equity, and inclusion<\/a> policies.<\/p>\n<p>While the license review pertains to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/disney\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2953\">Disney<\/a>-owned media company\u2019s alleged discrimination, the federal agency\u2019s decision comes shortly after President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> and first lady <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/melania-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"696\">Melania Trump<\/a> called for late-night host <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jimmy-kimmel\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"570\">Jimmy Kimmel<\/a> to be fired following a controversial monologue on his show.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4545659\/jimmy-kimmel-incapable-of-apologizing-for-his-wish-that-trump-get-assassinated-joe-concha\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Jimmy Kimmel \u2018incapable\u2019 of apologizing for his \u2018wish\u2019 that Trump get assassinated: Joe Concha<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4545661\/southwest-airlines-independence-one-plane-america-250\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Southwest Airlines launches \u2018Independence One\u2019 plane for America 250 celebrations<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4545411\/jimmy-kimmel-addresses-melania-trump-social-media-post\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Jimmy Kimmel addresses Melania Trump\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/why-this-average-american-is-voting-for-donald-trump\/\" title=\"Why This Average American Is Voting for Donald ...\">social media post<\/a> about his \u2018corrosive\u2019 comedy skit<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Disney and ABC have so far refused to take Kimmel off the air, unlike last fall, when the host caught flak for making misleading comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk\u2019s assassination last fall. At the time, Kimmel\u2019s show was briefly suspended following pressure from broadcast station owners Nexstar and Sinclair.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, is now setting its sights on ABC amid the Trump-Kimmel drama. The agency said \u201cadditional actions are appropriate at this time\u201d after investigating Disney\u2019s ABC stations for possible violations of the \u201cCommunications Act of 1934 and the FCC\u2019s rules, including the agency\u2019s prohibition on unlawful discrimination.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe FCC determines that calling in Disney\u2019s ABC licenses for early renewal, at this time, under the Communications Act\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/complaints-allege-abc-broke-broadcast-donation-rules-in-debate\/\" title=\"Complaints Allege ABC Broke Broadcast, Donation ... In Debate\">public interest standard<\/a> is essential within the meaning of agency regulations,\u201d FCC official David Brown <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.fcc.gov\/public\/attachments\/DA-26-416A1.pdf\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/docs.fcc.gov\/public\/attachments\/DA-26-416A1.pdf\">wrote in a filing<\/a>. \u201cTherefore, Disney\u2019s ABC is hereby directed to file license renewals for all of their licensed TV stations within 30 days\u2014in other words, by May 28, 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The move is unprecedented but not unsurprising, as Carr and Trump have repeatedly threatened to go after broadcast licenses over what they call misleading coverage of the administration or, more recently, a left-leaning comedian\u2019s divisive comments amid a rise in political violence.<\/p>\n<p>Last Thursday, Kimmel <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Breaking911\/status\/2048517635088773466\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Breaking911\/status\/2048517635088773466\">joked about<\/a> Melania Trump looking like an \u201cexpectant widow.\u201d That statement aired two nights before the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/white-house-correspondents-dinner\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2432\">White House Correspondents\u2019 Association dinner<\/a>, where a suspected shooter allegedly attempted to assassinate Trump and target other administration officials before he was apprehended.<\/p>\n<p>In his first late-night episode since the shooting, Kimmel <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TVNewsNow\/status\/2049029004401750297\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TVNewsNow\/status\/2049029004401750297\">defended<\/a> his joke, claiming it was intended to be about the presidential couple\u2019s age gap. Trump turns 80 on June 14, and his wife is 56 as of Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was a very <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jimmy-kimmel-addresses-melania-trumps-social-media-post-about-his-corrosive-comedy-skit\/\" title=\"Jimmy ... addresses ...&#039;s ... about his \u2018corrosive... comedy skit\">light roast joke<\/a> about the fact that he\u2019s almost 80 and she\u2019s younger than I am,\u201d Kimmel said late Monday. \u201cIt was not by any stretch of the definition a call to assassination.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Apart from claiming the joke was misunderstood, Kimmel called out the \u201chateful and violent rhetoric\u201d today but suggested Trump was at fault for much of it.<\/p>\n<p>Disney responded to the FCC\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >early license renewal notice shortly<\/a> after it became public.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cABC and its stations have a long record of operating in full compliance with FCC rules and serving their local communities with trusted news, emergency information, and public\u2011interest programming,\u201d the entertainment company <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/brianstelter\/status\/2049201243361366129\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/brianstelter\/status\/2049201243361366129\">said in part<\/a>. \u201cWe are confident that record demonstrates our continued qualifications as licensees under the Communications Act and the First Amendment and are prepared to show that through the appropriate legal channels.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The FCC\u2019s sole commissioner nominated by a Democratic president, Anna Gomez, is not on board with the agency\u2019s action.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is unprecedented, unlawful, and going nowhere,\u201d Gomez <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AGomezFCC\/status\/2049140805965893655\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AGomezFCC\/status\/2049140805965893655\">posted on X<\/a> as reports about the incoming order were published earlier Tuesday. \u201cThis political stunt won\u2019t stick. Companies should challenge it head-on. The First Amendment is on their side.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4545411\/jimmy-kimmel-addresses-melania-trump-social-media-post\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4545411\/jimmy-kimmel-addresses-melania-trump-social-media-post\/\">JIMMY KIMMEL ADDRESSES MELANIA TRUMP\u2019S SOCIAL MEDIA POST ABOUT HIS \u2018CORROSIVE\u2019 COMEDY SKIT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>However, Carr maintains the move is well within the commission\u2019s authority.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou can accelerate when a license comes to you and say, \u2018Hey, we have significant concerns about how you\u2019re conducting your operations,&#8217;\u201d Carr <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/KatieMiller\/status\/2049107698768109889\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/KatieMiller\/status\/2049107698768109889\">said in a clip<\/a> of a forthcoming episode on <em>The Katie Miller Podcast<\/em>. \u201c\u2018We want to review your license now and decide if you\u2019re in the public interest. If we find that a broadcaster hasn\u2019t been doing that, then the statute requires us to issue a hearing designation order,\u201d he added, noting the process takes multiple months.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FCC seeks early renewal of ABC licenses over alleged DEI discrimination<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2596278,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-collage-fzvwxx4a2-1777406033825-e1777406133560.jpg?1777391724&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[7261,16609,43710,78753],"class_list":["post-2596277","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-abc","tag-fcc","tag-jimmy-kimmel","tag-william-license-challenge"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-collage-fzvwxx4a2-1777406033825-e1777406133560.jpg?1777391724&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2596277","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2596277"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2596277\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2596281,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2596277\/revisions\/2596281"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2596278"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2596277"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2596277"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2596277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}