FCC Chair Warns Broadcasters: Lose Licenses for Misinformation

Carr echoes Trump's attacks on mainstream media, citing 'public interest' requirement for license renewals.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 7:35am

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Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr warned that broadcasters risk losing their licenses if they continue spreading misinformation, echoing President Donald Trump's attacks on mainstream media outlets like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Carr cited the FCC's 'public interest' requirement and a 'news distortion' rule as potential tools to scrutinize programming amid growing disputes over political coverage.

Why it matters

This marks an escalation in the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration, the FCC, and major media outlets. The FCC's regulatory power over broadcast licenses gives it leverage to potentially punish networks it deems are not operating in the 'public interest', raising concerns about government overreach and threats to press freedom.

The details

In a post on X, Carr shared Trump's statement warning that broadcasters 'running hoaxes and news distortions' have a chance to 'correct course' before their license renewals. Carr emphasized the business implications, noting that 'trust in legacy media has now fallen to an all time low of just 9% and are ratings disasters.' Trump also accused major news outlets of misrepresenting a story about damage to Saudi Arabian tanker planes, saying 'The People of our Country understand what is happening far better than the Fake News Media!'

  • On Saturday, Carr shared Trump's statement on X.

The players

Brendan Carr

The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, who has signaled a tougher stance on broadcast content and warned broadcasters they could lose their licenses for spreading misinformation.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who has repeatedly attacked mainstream media outlets and accused them of 'fake news' and misrepresenting information.

The New York Times

A major U.S. newspaper that Trump accused of misrepresenting a story about damage to Saudi Arabian tanker planes.

The Wall Street Journal

A major U.S. newspaper that Trump accused of misrepresenting a story about damage to Saudi Arabian tanker planes.

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What they’re saying

“Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions—also known as the fake news—have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up. The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not.”

— Brendan Carr, FCC Chairman (X)

“Four of the five had virtually no damage, and are already back in service. The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (in particular), and other Lowlife Papers and Media actually want us to lose the War. The People of our Country understand what is happening far better than the Fake News Media!”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

What’s next

The FCC will likely continue to scrutinize broadcast content and could potentially take action against networks it deems are not operating in the 'public interest' when their licenses come up for renewal.

The takeaway

This clash between the FCC, the Trump administration, and major media outlets highlights the ongoing tensions over the role of government regulation in the media landscape and the balance between press freedom and accountability for misinformation.