Trending Now - FCC Chair Warns of License Action Over Iran Coverage
WHO:
Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
President Trump
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez
California Governor Gavin Newsom
Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.)
WHAT:
Carr threatened to pull TV licenses from broadcasters if they do not operate in the public interest.
Carr stated that broadcasters running "hoaxes and news distortions" have a chance to correct course before their license renewals.
Trump expressed support for Carr's remarks, stating he was "thrilled" and referred to certain news organizations as "Corrupt and Highly Unpatriotic."
Carr claimed that legacy media ratings had fallen to an all-time low of 9 percent.
Carr's threats are based on the FCC's public interest obligation for broadcasters.
WHERE:
Washington, D.C. (FCC headquarters)
Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia
WHEN:
Carr made his statement on X on March 14th, 2026.
Trump made his supportive statement on Truth Social on March 15th, 2026.
Carr has been FCC Chairman since 2025.
No licenses for national news networks are up for renewal until 2028.
WHY:
Carr's actions are motivated by a desire to enforce the FCC's public interest obligation and respond to Trump's dissatisfaction with media coverage of the U.S. military action in Iran.
Trump and Hegseth have criticized news organizations for reporting that does not portray the war in Iran positively.
HOW:
Carr used social media to issue threats regarding broadcast licenses.
Carr's threats are aimed primarily at local TV stations that air ABC, CBS, and NBC content, as the FCC has regulatory control over these stations.
(UPDATED March 17, 2026 05:28 UTC)
In a bold statement made on social media, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr threatened to revoke TV licenses from broadcasters that fail to operate in the public interest, particularly targeting those he claims are spreading "hoaxes and news distortions." President Trump expressed his support for Carr's remarks, labeling certain news organizations as "Corrupt and Highly Unpatriotic," while Carr pointed out that legacy media ratings have plummeted to an all-time low of just 9 percent. The threats come as a response to Trump's dissatisfaction with media coverage of U.S. military actions in Iran, with Carr emphasizing the FCC's obligation to enforce standards among local TV stations that air major network content.