FCC Chair Brendan Carr Praises Trump's 'Winning' Against 'Fake News Media'

Carr's comments at CPAC drew backlash from social media users who accused him of wanting 'one man to control the media in the United States'.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 6:10pm

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Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr made comments at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Texas, claiming that President Donald Trump is 'taking on the fake news media' and 'winning.' Carr celebrated the departures of various TV anchors and the defunding of public media outlets like PBS and NPR, saying Trump 'smashed the facade' of the 'legacy national media.' Social media users immediately criticized Carr's remarks, accusing him of wanting a single person to control the media in the United States.

Why it matters

Carr's comments raise concerns about the independence and impartiality of the FCC, which is supposed to regulate the media industry objectively. His partisan rhetoric and apparent support for the Trump administration's attacks on the free press are seen by many as a threat to press freedom and democratic norms.

The details

In his CPAC speech, Carr praised Trump for 'taking on the fake news media' and claimed the president is 'winning' this battle. Carr celebrated the departures of various TV anchors, the new regimes leading TV networks, and the defunding of public media outlets like PBS and NPR. He expressed confidence that CNN will soon have new ownership as well.

  • Carr made the comments at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Grapevine, Texas on Friday, March 26, 2026.

The players

Brendan Carr

The Chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), a federal agency responsible for regulating the communications industry in the United States.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who Carr claims is 'taking on the fake news media' and 'winning.'

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The takeaway

Carr's partisan comments raise serious concerns about the FCC's independence and its role in protecting press freedom and democratic norms. His apparent support for the Trump administration's attacks on the media could have far-reaching consequences for the future of journalism and the free flow of information in the United States.