Walt Disney Company to sue Trump and FCC over ABC licence threats

The Walt Disney Company, owners of ABC, have announced their intention to sue the Trump administration and the Federal Communications Commission in an attempt to block an early review of ABC's broadcast licences. Trump has repeatedly criticised the content on ABC. The Company alleges that Trump is using the FCC to try to get the network closed.

If the review goes ahead, it would be the first time in over 50 years that an early review has been called on a network's licences. Disney says that the FCC is attempting to "coerce" the network and that it "refuses to bow to the administration's demands", calling the move "an extraordinary assault on free speech".

Trump and ABC have been feuding for some time. He and the FCC reacted strongly to comments made on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" following the assassination of right-wing figure Charlie Kirk last October. This incident ultimately led to the show's suspension. Just a few weeks ago, ABC refused to air a primetime speech made by Trump, possibly in retaliation over the incident on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!". He reacted by encouraging the FCC to revoke the licences of ABC stations.

The case is expected to have major implications on freedom of speech in the American media, something which is protected by the country's Constitution. This also wouldn't be the first media related court case involving Trump in some way. Last week, the BBC stated it intended to issue subpoenas to Trump family members in its case against the President over the editing of a "Panorama" documentary about the events of the 6th January 2021. The BBC maintains that, as the programme was neither broadcast nor intended to be broadcast in the US, there is no case against them.