Disney Sues FCC to Block Early ABC License Reviews

The Walt Disney Company appeared before a federal judge in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to block the Federal Communications Commission from conducting an early review of eight ABC broadcast licenses. Disney argues the FCC's action is an extraordinary assault on its First Amendment rights and part of a campaign by the Trump administration to punish media outlets critical of the president.

While ABC licenses are not typically due for renewal until 2028, the FCC accelerated the process in April. The agency, led by Chair Brendan Carr, contends the review is a probe into whether Disney's diversity, equity, and inclusion practices violated non-discrimination rules and is not related to editorial content.

Disney's legal team argues that the regulatory process is being used as punishment to intimidate the network's editorial decision-making. This legal battle follows years of tension, including public demands from President Trump that ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel and criticisms of the program The View.