The Walt Disney Co. has officially taken the Federal Communications Commission to court. They have filed a lawsuit that accuses the agency of running a retaliatory campaign against ABC on behalf of President Donald Trump and his administration. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday. It marks one of the most significant challenges a major media corporation has brought against the administration.
As reported by NBC News, Disney is arguing that the FCC’s directive to review its broadcast licenses ahead of schedule is a direct attack on free speech. The company claims that the agency is targeting it because the administration disapproves of the content broadcast on its networks. According to The Washington Post, ABC also alleges that this early review process is unconstitutional under the First Amendment.
Per the outlets, the FCC ordered Disney to file renewal applications for its eight owned-and-operated television stations in late April. These stations serve major markets, including New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, and were not originally due for renewal until 2028. The lawsuit describes this mandate as an “existential threat.” They also noted that the FCC provided only thirty days to complete applications that typically take months to prepare.
A behemoth taking a stand
The tension between the network and the government has been building for some time. Per the Washington Post, it escalated significantly after President Donald Trump and the White House publicly criticized late-night host Jimmy Kimmel for a joke directed at first lady Melania Trump. In a separate instance, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr pressured the network regarding comments Kimmel made about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Following that pressure, Disney briefly pulled the host off the air. In a September 2025 appearance on a podcast hosted by Benny Johnson, Carr reportedly remarked, “When you see stuff like this, I mean we can do this the easy way or the hard way.” He further warned, “These companies can find ways to change conduct and take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or, you know, there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
These comments drew significant backlash. Per the Post, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Tx) famously compared the FCC chair’s tactics to a character from a mob movie. He stated, “That’s right out of ‘Goodfellas.’ That’s right out of a mafioso coming into a bar. ‘God, nice bar you have here. It’d be a shame if something happened to it.’”
The FCC, however, maintains that its actions are not retaliatory. Per NBC, an FCC spokesperson stated, “All broadcasters have a legal obligation to operate in the public interest—even Disney. The FCC has been examining claims that Disney engaged in illegal DEI discrimination for over a year.”
Chairman Brendan Carr echoed this sentiment in a phone interview. He told NBC News that he believes the lawsuit is a “meritless case.” He added, “It would seem that Disney has become very concerned and worried, and they now are attempting to go to court to get the court to stop the FCC from moving forward, at least with respect to some of the proceedings that are underway.”
Despite these claims, the lawsuit reportedly cites specific social media posts written by Trump. In one notable post, he complained that late-night hosts “are almost 100% Negative to President Donald J. Trump” and questioned whether their broadcast licenses should “be terminated?”
Per NBC, the legal complaint filed by attorneys Beth Wilkinson and Paul Clement argues: “Acting through the Federal Communications Commission, the Administration has waged a retaliatory campaign against ABC for a single reason: it disapproves of what ABC broadcasts. That campaign began in this Administration’s earliest days and has only intensified since.”
Disney’s new CEO, Josh D’Amaro, has made it clear that the company intends to stand its ground. In a recent statement, he reportedly told CNBC, “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.”
Anna M. Gomez, the only Democratic appointee on the FCC, publicly cheered the challenge. Per NBC, she stated, “I have long called on companies to push back against this kind of government intimidation, and I’m glad Disney has shown courage and stepped up.”
Per the Washington Post, she further criticizes the leadership. She noted, “It is time this administration understands that the Constitution does not bend to political convenience, and that the First Amendment protects the news and commentary Americans see on their screens even when those in power wish it didn’t.”
The case is currently assigned to U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan. As the legal process begins, ABC has requested both a “speedy hearing” and a “temporary restraining order” to halt the license review process.
Published: Aug 21, 2026 06:48 pm