Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro challenges Trump administration over FCC investigation into ABC's The View
ABC argues the Federal Communications Commission’s scrutiny of Democratic candidates on the programme infringes on First Amendment rights, marking a sharp departure from the capitulation seen under Bob Iger and Bob Chapek.
Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro is publicly opposing the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) investigation into ABC’s The View, which alleges violations of the equal time rule by featuring Democratic candidates without Republican counterparts. ABC has filed a legal submission to the FCC, arguing that the probe into whether the show violated the rule infringes on First Amendment rights and chills free speech. The investigation centres on segments featuring Democratic candidates James Talarico and Jasmine Crockett without corresponding Republican counterparts.
ABC asserts that The View holds a decades-old exemption from the equal time rule as a “bona fide news interview program.” The company claims the agency is threatening to “chill core First Amendment-protected speech for years and potentially decades.” ABC argues that the FCC is selectively enforcing the rule, noting that conservative and liberal voices on broadcast radio have not faced similar scrutiny. This stance marks a departure from the approach of previous Disney CEOs, Bob Iger and Bob Chapek, who were characterised by the source as having capitulated to political pressure.
The conflict occurs amidst broader tensions, including FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s threats regarding Jimmy Kimmel Live! over a joke about Charlie Kirk’s death, leading to the show’s temporary suspension. The FCC has ordered Disney-owned ABC stations in eight markets to renew their broadcast licenses by May 28th, despite original expiration dates in 2028. In January, the FCC signalled plans to broadly revoke equal time exemptions for other daytime and late-night talk shows.
FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez sent a letter to D’Amaro, stating that Disney’s 2024 $15 million settlement with Trump “told this Administration that pressure works.” Gomez warned that the First Amendment belongs to the public and press, not the Administration, and highlighted viewer support for Jimmy Kimmel. The source contrasts Disney’s current stance with Paramount’s strategy, noting Paramount’s $8 billion acquisition deal with Skydance and the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as potential examples of currying favour with the administration.
D’Amaro’s decision to fight back suggests an understanding that self-censorship and financial settlements will not prevent the administration from targeting the company. The situation is expected to result in a legal battle, with ABC maintaining that the government is deciding which perspectives to regulate. This approach defines D’Amaro’s early tenure, distinguishing it from the defensive posture adopted by his predecessors during their leadership.
