FCC orders early review of Disney-owned ABC station licenses after dispute over Jimmy Kimmel remarks

Tuesday, April 28, 2026U.S. PoliticsWell-covered5 frames

The FCC ordered Disney to file early license-renewal applications for ABC-owned television stations.
The FCC said the early review is connected to an investigation into Disney or ABC’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies or possible unlawful discrimination.
The FCC order came after Trump and Melania Trump publicly called for ABC or Disney to fire Jimmy Kimmel over remarks he made about Melania Trump on his show.
Kimmel’s remark described Melania Trump as having 'a glow like an expectant widow' or equivalent wording during a parody segment tied to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
The early review affects ABC’s broadcast stations and could require Disney to show that those stations meet the FCC’s public-interest standards.
The licenses were not otherwise scheduled for renewal until later, making the FCC’s action an accelerated review rather than the normal timetable.
Disney responded that ABC and its stations have operated in compliance with FCC rules and continue to serve their local communities.
The outcome of the review is not yet settled; the process could lead to further scrutiny of ABC’s licenses, but no final FCC decision on those licenses has been reported.

Tuesday, April 28, 2026U.S. PoliticsWell-covered5 frames

The FCC ordered Disney to file early license-renewal applications for ABC-owned television stations.
The FCC said the early review is connected to an investigation into Disney or ABC’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies or possible unlawful discrimination.
The FCC order came after Trump and Melania Trump publicly called for ABC or Disney to fire Jimmy Kimmel over remarks he made about Melania Trump on his show.
Kimmel’s remark described Melania Trump as having 'a glow like an expectant widow' or equivalent wording during a parody segment tied to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
The early review affects ABC’s broadcast stations and could require Disney to show that those stations meet the FCC’s public-interest standards.
The licenses were not otherwise scheduled for renewal until later, making the FCC’s action an accelerated review rather than the normal timetable.
Disney responded that ABC and its stations have operated in compliance with FCC rules and continue to serve their local communities.
The outcome of the review is not yet settled; the process could lead to further scrutiny of ABC’s licenses, but no final FCC decision on those licenses has been reported.