US regulator to review Disney broadcast licences after Jimmy Kimmel joke about Melania Trump

April 28, 2026

The Federal Communications Commission has ordered Disney to submit early license renewal applications for its ABC television stations within 30 days, citing investigations into possible violations including unlawful discrimination. This action follows President Trump's demands that ABC fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over jokes he made about Melania Trump having the glow of an "expectant widow," which the White House characterized as inciting violence after a shooting incident near a Trump event. While the FCC claims the review is based on regulatory concerns, critics including a Democratic commissioner have called it an unprecedented political stunt that violates First Amendment protections.

Who is affected

Disney and its ABC television stations
Jimmy Kimmel (late-night host)
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump
FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
Viewers of ABC programming in local communities
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung
Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna M Gomez
Cole Tomas Allen (shooting suspect)
Journalists and officials attending the White House Correspondents' dinner

What action is being taken

The FCC is ordering Disney to file license-renewal applications for all licensed TV stations within 30 days
The FCC is investigating Disney's ABC stations for possible violations including unlawful discrimination
The White House is pressuring ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel
Disney is defending its compliance with FCC guidelines through its spokesperson
Kimmel is defending his comments on his show

Why it matters

This situation represents a significant test of First Amendment protections and the independence of regulatory agencies from political pressure. The FCC's action is unprecedented in using early license review as a response to content criticism from the White House, raising concerns about government overreach and potential chilling effects on media speech. If successful, such actions could fundamentally alter the relationship between government and broadcast media, potentially giving administrations leverage to influence or suppress critical coverage. The case also highlights tensions between executive power and media freedom that are central to democratic governance.

What's next

Disney must file license-renewal applications for all licensed TV stations within 30 days
The FCC will conduct a renewal review where Disney may be required to prove it meets public-interest standards
The reviews could potentially lead to license revocation (though experts consider this highly unlikely)

Read full article from source: BBC