April 29, (THEWILL) — On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ordered an early review of broadcast licenses for eight Disney-owned ABC stations.
The move follows a dispute between late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and President Donald Trump.
The FCC has instructed Disney to submit license renewal applications for its ABC stations within 30 days, years ahead of their scheduled renewal date.
This comes after Trump called for Kimmel’s firing over a joke about First Lady Melania Trump.
Kimmel made the remark during a monologue that drew backlash from the White House, which called the comment inappropriate.
The FCC says it is reviewing whether the stations are following the rules and meeting public interest standards.
A Disney spokesperson confirmed that ABC and its stations follow FCC rules and continue to serve local communities.
While the FCC can review licenses early, license removals are extremely rare in the U.S.
The decision has been criticized by free speech advocates and Democratic FCC commissioner Anna M. Gomez, who called the review “a political stunt.”
Despite the pressure, ABC has kept Kimmel on air. Kimmel has defended his comments, asserting that they were never intended as a call to violence.
The review places Disney’s broadcasting operations under increased scrutiny during a sensitive political time.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
