FCC to Review Disney Broadcast Licenses After Jimmy Kimmel's Melania Trump Joke
The Federal Communications Commission will review Disney's broadcast licenses for ABC stations after late-night host Jimmy Kimmel called First Lady Melania Trump an "expectant widow" on his show. The White House is pressuring Disney-owned ABC to fire Kimmel over the comment.
The Federal Communications Commission announced it will review Disney's broadcast licenses for local ABC stations after a joke by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel sparked outrage from the White House. Kimmel called First Lady Melania Trump an "expectant widow" during his show.
The review covers eight local broadcasting licenses owned by Disney. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have both called for ABC to fire Kimmel over the comment, though the FCC did not specifically mention Kimmel in its official letter requesting the early license renewal review.
The move is widely seen as retaliatory against Disney-owned ABC following the White House criticism. Broadcast licenses are typically reviewed every eight years, making this early review unusual.
The FCC has the power to revoke or refuse to renew broadcast licenses, though such extreme actions are rare. The commission is supposed to make decisions based on whether stations serve the public interest, not political pressure.
This marks a rare government review of broadcast licenses tied to specific TV content, raising questions about free speech and political pressure on media companies. If Disney loses its licenses, it could affect local ABC stations in communities across the country.
Disney will need to defend its broadcast licenses during the FCC review process, which could take several months to complete.
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