ABC Sues Trump Television Regulator Over Threats Against Broadcast License

August 18, 2026 12:16 PM ET Disney’s ABC filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, claiming the agency’s recent review into the company is part of a “retaliatory campaign.”The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Washington, D.C., alleges that the Trump administration’s “

Further escalating its battle with the Trump administration, ABC on Tuesday took the rare step of suing the Federal Communications Commission on First Amendment grounds, saying the agency’s demand for early review of broadcast licences posed an “existential threat” to its operations.

ABC has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission, alleging violation of its First Amendment rights

ABC sues FCC over challenge to its broadcast licenses, saying actions present 'existential threat'  AP News

“Again and again, the Administration has attacked ABC’s speech — the stories its journalists report and the viewpoints its network programs air,” the suit says.

The lawsuit seeks to halt an early license renewal process ABC calls a retaliatory campaign against its news coverage and programming

The FCC called the Disney-owned network's eight broadcast licenses in for an early renewal earlier this year and has challenged 'The View.'

Disney, ABC sue US regulator over threats to broadcast licenses  Reuters