NEWSDisney and ABC Sue FCC as Donald Trump's TV Feuds Escalate
Disney and ABC sued the Federal Communications Commission over an early review of eight ABC-owned station licenses.
Aug. 26 2026, Published 5:10 a.m. ET
Disney and ABC are taking their fight with the Federal Communications Commission from the airwaves to federal court.
The Walt Disney Co. and ABC sued the FCC, seeking to stop the agency’s early review of broadcast licenses for eight ABC-owned stations. The stations’ renewals were not due until 2028, but FCC Chair Brendan Carr ordered the review in April.
Disney’s lawsuit argues the move is not routine regulation, but political retaliation.
The License Fight
The companies argued that the FCC’s license review amounted to political retaliation.
The lawsuit says the FCC is using its power against “a network that refuses to bow to the administration's demands,” calling the agency’s actions an “extraordinary assault on free speech.”
Disney and ABC asked the court for a temporary restraining order to stop the license renewal proceedings and prevent the FCC from scheduling a hearing.
Disney and ABC sought a temporary restraining order to stop the renewal proceedings.
U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan directed both sides to propose a schedule for considering the request and told the FCC to notify her if it moves to begin revoking ABC licenses.
The FCC says the review is tied to a year-long investigation into whether Disney’s diversity policies amounted to unlawful discrimination. Disney denies the allegation.
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Jimmy Kimmel, 'The View' and Donald Trump
The dispute followed Donald Trump’s attacks on ABC programs including ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ and ‘The View.’
The case lands amid Trump’s repeated attacks on ABC programming, including Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The View.
The reviews were ordered one day after Trump urged ABC to fire Kimmel. Disney’s suit also cites Trump social media posts complaining that late-night hosts are “almost 100% Negative to President Donald J. Trump” and asking whether broadcast licenses should “be terminated?”
The FCC is also investigating The View under equal-time rules for political candidates. Disney has argued that the show is a legitimate news program and noted that it has not invited political candidates to appear since February, citing the agency’s pressure.
The Public-Airwaves Argument
Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro said the company stood by journalistic integrity amid the FCC fight.
Carr has argued broadcasters using public airwaves must operate in the public interest.
“Disney seems to be a little nervous about what the record's showing," he told Reuters.
“We haven't made a decision about when we're making a decision,” he told the outlet, adding that the FCC will “follow the facts and the law and keep moving forward.”
Disney’s new CEO Josh D’Amaro in an interview with CNBC said they are waging their fight on principle.
“We’re very principled on this,” D’Amaro told the outlet. We’re going to stand up to what we believe is journalistic integrity. And we’re not going to be told how to run that side of our business.”
