In the early hours of Christmas Eve, Trump fired off a string of angry posts on Truth Social, accusing U.S. broadcasters of being overwhelmingly negative toward him and the Republican Party. He went so far as to suggest their broadcast licenses should be taken away if they don’t show more favorable coverage.
“If Network newscasts, and their Late Night Shows, are almost 100% Negative,” Trump wrote, asking whether their “very valuable Broadcast Licenses” should be terminated. He then answered himself: “I say, YES!”
CBS and 60 Minutes in the Crosshairs
Trump’s outburst came days after 60 Minutes pulled a segment about Venezuelan migrants deported by the Trump administration to El Salvador’s high-security CECOT prison. The report was dropped just hours before it was scheduled to air, a decision that sparked criticism inside CBS News.
The move was reportedly approved by CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. The segment’s correspondent, Sharyn Alfonsi, later warned in a leaked memo that requiring government cooperation before airing stories would turn 60 Minutes from “an investigative powerhouse” into “a stenographer for the state.”
FCC Power — and Its Limits
Trump has repeatedly claimed networks are “not allowed” to criticize him because they are licensed. In reality, the Federal Communications Commission cannot revoke licenses from national networks like ABC, CBS, or NBC. It can only regulate local affiliate stations.
Still, Trump has seemed emboldened by actions taken by his FCC pick, Brendan Carr. Earlier this year, Carr became involved in a brief suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! after the host joked about MAGA reactions to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The show was off the air for a week before returning.
Late-Night Hosts Under Fire
News coverage wasn’t Trump’s only complaint. He also took aim at late-night comedy, especially CBS host Stephen Colbert.
Although The Late Show is currently airing holiday reruns, Trump called Colbert “a pathetic trainwreck” and urged CBS to cancel the program before Colbert’s contract ends next year. Using particularly harsh language, Trump claimed the host was suffering from low ratings and said the network should “put him to sleep,” calling it “the humanitarian thing to do.”
The comments came just after Trump promoted his own pre-recorded appearance “hosting” the Kennedy Center Honors, which aired on CBS.
A Familiar Fight
This isn’t the first time Trump has threatened broadcasters. Throughout the year, he has claimed that as much as “97 percent” of TV coverage is against him. He argues that networks with late-night shows that criticize him are abusing their licenses — a claim media experts say has no basis in U.S. law.
As Trump approaches his 80th birthday next year, his clashes with the media show no sign of slowing. For now, the networks remain on the air — and firmly in his sights.
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