FCC Chair Brendan Carr Coordinated With White House and Media Executives

Documents obtained through a lawsuit and Freedom of Information Act request by Democracy Forward reveal that Brendan Carr, Chair of the Federal Communications Commission, maintained close coordination with the White House and conservative media executives between March 2025 and February 2026. Records show Carr attended at least eight White House meetings and held calls with officials including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The documents also detail undisclosed meetings between Carr and media leaders, including Fox Corp CEO Lachlan Murdoch and Sinclair Broadcast Group Chair David Smith. These revelations follow an unprecedented FCC order requiring ABC to apply for broadcast license renewals early. This order was issued one day after President Donald Trump and Melania Trump called for the network to be punished over a joke made by Jimmy Kimmel.

ABC has challenged the license order in court, citing Carr's public allegiance to the president. Democracy Forward argues the records indicate the FCC is functioning as a political tool rather than an independent regulator. Carr has declined to discuss his conversations with the White House publicly.