David McAfee
March 14, 2026
RAW STORY
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr walks through the subway system under the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 2, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission under President Donald Trump, issued a stark warning to television broadcasters on Saturday, threatening license revocation for what he characterizes as "hoaxes and news distortions."
In a statement, Carr declared: "Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions - also known as the fake news - have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up. The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not."
Carr cited declining trust in legacy media, noting that "trust in legacy media has now fallen to an all time low of just 9% and are ratings disasters." He argued that broadcasters have been subsidized through free access to the nation's airwaves and suggested that changing editorial direction is in their business interests.
The FCC chief framed the issue as a matter of public confidence, stating: "When a political candidate is able to win a landslide election victory in the face of hoaxes and distortions, there is something very wrong. It means the public has lost faith and confidence in the media."
Carr concluded by calling for systemic change in broadcast journalism, declaring "Time for change!" His comments represent an unprecedented direct threat by a Trump administration official to use regulatory authority over media licensing as a tool to influence news coverage.
Trump’s FCC Chair Threatens to Pull Broadcast Licenses Over Negative Iran War Coverage
“Brendan Carr is threatening the media to cover the war the way the Trump regime wants. It’s one of the most anti-American messages ever posted by a government official,” one news network said.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr testifies before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government at the Rayburn House Office Building on May 21, 2025 in Washington, DC.
(Photo by John McDonnell/Getty Images)
Olivia Rosane
Mar 14, 2026
“Brendan Carr is threatening the media to cover the war the way the Trump regime wants. It’s one of the most anti-American messages ever posted by a government official,” one news network said.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr testifies before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government at the Rayburn House Office Building on May 21, 2025 in Washington, DC.
(Photo by John McDonnell/Getty Images)
Olivia Rosane
Mar 14, 2026
COMMON DREAMS
In a move one administration critic described as “fragrantly unconstitutional,” Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr wrote a post on social media on Saturday that appeared to threaten the broadcast license of any media outlet that reported information concerning President Donald Trump’s war on Iran that the president did not like.
“Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions—also known as the fake news—have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up. The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not,” Carr’s message began.
Carr also shared a screenshot of a Trump post on Truth Social complaining about “Fake News Media” coverage of five US Air Force refueling planes that were reportedly hit and damaged in an Iranian missile strike on Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia.
“The[is] is the federal government telling news stations to provide favorable coverage of the war or their licenses will be pulled,” wrote Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on social media in response to the post. “A truly extraordinary moment. We aren’t on the verge of a totalitarian takeover. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. Act like it.”
Several other media professionals, free speech advocates, and Democratic politicians understood Carr’s post as a threat.
“The truth is this war has been a failure of historic proportions. They don’t want Americans to know that.”
“The FCC is threatening the licenses of news stations that report on the effects of Iranian attacks on the American military,” wrote journalist Séamus Malekafzali.
Bulwark economics editor Catherine Rampell wrote, “FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatens broadcast licenses over Iran War coverage.”
Journalist Sam Stein posted, “The state doesn’t like the war coverage, threatens the license of the broadcasters.”
Independent news network MediasTouch wrote: “Brendan Carr is threatening the media to cover the war the way the Trump regime wants. It’s one of the most anti-American messages ever posted by a government official.”
“The truth is this war has been a failure of historic proportions. They don’t want Americans to know that,” the group continued.
“This is worse than the comedian stuff, and by a lot. The stakes here are much higher. He’s not talking about late night shows, he’s talking about how a war is covered.”
Several pointed out that such a threat would be in violation of the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and of the press.
“Constitutional law 101: It’s illegal for the government to censor free speech it just doesn’t like about Trump’s Iran war,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) posted on social media. “This threat is straight out of the authoritarian playbook.”
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), who has faced scrutiny from the administration for advising service members to disobey illegal orders, wrote: “When our nation is at war it is critical that the press is free to report without government interference. It is literally in the Constitution. This is overreach by the FCC because this administration doesn’t like the microscope and doesn’t want to be held accountable.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote, “If Trump doesn’t like your coverage of the war, his FCC will pull your broadcast license. That is flagrantly unconstitutional.”
Aaron Terr, the director of public advocacy at the Foundation of Individual Rights and Expression, said: “The president’s hand-picked misinformation czar is at it again, singling out ‘fake news’ that conflicts with his boss’ political agenda. The First Amendment doesn’t allow the government to censor information about the war it’s waging.”
Free Press senior director of strategy and communications Timothy Karr responded to Carr with a screenshot of the First Amendment and the words: “Here it is—as it seems you’ve forgotten what you swore an oath to ‘support and defend.’”
This is not the first time that Carr has been accused of putting his loyalty to Trump over his duty to the Constitution. In September, he pressured ABC to take comedian Jimmy Kimmel off the air over remarks Kimmel had made following the murder of Charlie Kirk.
While ABC eventually reinstated Kimmel’s show following public backlash, free speech advocates warned at the time that the Trump administration would not stop trying to censor opposing views.
“The Trump regime’s war on free speech is no joke—and it’s not over,” Free Press co-CEO Craig Aaron said at the time.
Indeed, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) wrote of Carr’s Saturday statement: “This is worse than the comedian stuff, and by a lot. The stakes here are much higher. He’s not talking about late night shows, he’s talking about how a war is covered.”
Carr’s note comes at a particularly urgent time for independent media coverage in the US, as Paramount Skydance, which is run by the son of pro-Trump billionaire Larry Ellison, is set to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns CNN. The Trump administration has often criticized CNN’s coverage, including of the war.
On Friday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told reporters, “The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better,” as he complained about a CNN report on how the Pentagon underestimated the risk that Iran would close the Strait of Hormuz in response to US aggression.
Carr has already spoken out in favor of the merger, telling CNBC he thought it was a “good deal, and I think it should get through pretty quickly.”
This piece has been updated with quotes from Sens. Chris Murphy, Elizabeth Warren, and Mark Kelly.
In a move one administration critic described as “fragrantly unconstitutional,” Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr wrote a post on social media on Saturday that appeared to threaten the broadcast license of any media outlet that reported information concerning President Donald Trump’s war on Iran that the president did not like.
“Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions—also known as the fake news—have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up. The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not,” Carr’s message began.
Carr also shared a screenshot of a Trump post on Truth Social complaining about “Fake News Media” coverage of five US Air Force refueling planes that were reportedly hit and damaged in an Iranian missile strike on Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia.
“The[is] is the federal government telling news stations to provide favorable coverage of the war or their licenses will be pulled,” wrote Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on social media in response to the post. “A truly extraordinary moment. We aren’t on the verge of a totalitarian takeover. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. Act like it.”
Several other media professionals, free speech advocates, and Democratic politicians understood Carr’s post as a threat.
“The truth is this war has been a failure of historic proportions. They don’t want Americans to know that.”
“The FCC is threatening the licenses of news stations that report on the effects of Iranian attacks on the American military,” wrote journalist Séamus Malekafzali.
Bulwark economics editor Catherine Rampell wrote, “FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatens broadcast licenses over Iran War coverage.”
Journalist Sam Stein posted, “The state doesn’t like the war coverage, threatens the license of the broadcasters.”
Independent news network MediasTouch wrote: “Brendan Carr is threatening the media to cover the war the way the Trump regime wants. It’s one of the most anti-American messages ever posted by a government official.”
“The truth is this war has been a failure of historic proportions. They don’t want Americans to know that,” the group continued.
“This is worse than the comedian stuff, and by a lot. The stakes here are much higher. He’s not talking about late night shows, he’s talking about how a war is covered.”
Several pointed out that such a threat would be in violation of the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and of the press.
“Constitutional law 101: It’s illegal for the government to censor free speech it just doesn’t like about Trump’s Iran war,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) posted on social media. “This threat is straight out of the authoritarian playbook.”
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), who has faced scrutiny from the administration for advising service members to disobey illegal orders, wrote: “When our nation is at war it is critical that the press is free to report without government interference. It is literally in the Constitution. This is overreach by the FCC because this administration doesn’t like the microscope and doesn’t want to be held accountable.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote, “If Trump doesn’t like your coverage of the war, his FCC will pull your broadcast license. That is flagrantly unconstitutional.”
Aaron Terr, the director of public advocacy at the Foundation of Individual Rights and Expression, said: “The president’s hand-picked misinformation czar is at it again, singling out ‘fake news’ that conflicts with his boss’ political agenda. The First Amendment doesn’t allow the government to censor information about the war it’s waging.”
Free Press senior director of strategy and communications Timothy Karr responded to Carr with a screenshot of the First Amendment and the words: “Here it is—as it seems you’ve forgotten what you swore an oath to ‘support and defend.’”
This is not the first time that Carr has been accused of putting his loyalty to Trump over his duty to the Constitution. In September, he pressured ABC to take comedian Jimmy Kimmel off the air over remarks Kimmel had made following the murder of Charlie Kirk.
While ABC eventually reinstated Kimmel’s show following public backlash, free speech advocates warned at the time that the Trump administration would not stop trying to censor opposing views.
“The Trump regime’s war on free speech is no joke—and it’s not over,” Free Press co-CEO Craig Aaron said at the time.
Indeed, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) wrote of Carr’s Saturday statement: “This is worse than the comedian stuff, and by a lot. The stakes here are much higher. He’s not talking about late night shows, he’s talking about how a war is covered.”
Carr’s note comes at a particularly urgent time for independent media coverage in the US, as Paramount Skydance, which is run by the son of pro-Trump billionaire Larry Ellison, is set to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns CNN. The Trump administration has often criticized CNN’s coverage, including of the war.
On Friday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told reporters, “The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better,” as he complained about a CNN report on how the Pentagon underestimated the risk that Iran would close the Strait of Hormuz in response to US aggression.
Carr has already spoken out in favor of the merger, telling CNBC he thought it was a “good deal, and I think it should get through pretty quickly.”
This piece has been updated with quotes from Sens. Chris Murphy, Elizabeth Warren, and Mark Kelly.
Experts alarmed as Trump FCC's new 'fascist' move dubbed 'truly extraordinary moment'
David McAfee
March 14, 2026
March 14, 2026
RAW STORY
Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission under President Donald Trump, stirred outrage when he issued a stark warning to television broadcasters, threatening license revocation for news coverage he characterizes as "hoaxes and news distortions."
"Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions—also known as the fake news—have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up," Carr stated. "The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not."
The threat appears directed at media coverage of the Trump administration's Iran war, prompting immediate condemnation from media critics and Democratic lawmakers who characterized the remarks as an authoritarian attack on press freedom.
CNN senior political reporter Aaron Blake flagged the administration's approach: "The Trump administration is now threatening the licenses of broadcasters whose news coverage—apparently about the war—it deems to be 'fake.'"
Authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat responded to the threat with stark language. When Republicans Against Trump asked "What country are we living in?" Ben-Ghiat replied simply: "What authoritarians do."
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy issued an urgent warning, stating: "This is the federal government telling news stations to provide favorable coverage of the war or their licenses will be pulled. A truly extraordinary moment. We aren't on the verge of a totalitarian takeover. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. Act like it."
Senator Mark Kelly similarly condemned the FCC's overreach. "When our nation is at war it is critical that the press is free to report without government interference. It is literally in the Constitution. This is overreach by the FCC because this Administration doesn't like the microscope and doesn't want to be held accountable," Kelly said.
The threat represents an unprecedented use of federal regulatory authority to pressure media outlets based on their editorial coverage of government actions.
Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission under President Donald Trump, stirred outrage when he issued a stark warning to television broadcasters, threatening license revocation for news coverage he characterizes as "hoaxes and news distortions."
"Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions—also known as the fake news—have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up," Carr stated. "The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not."
The threat appears directed at media coverage of the Trump administration's Iran war, prompting immediate condemnation from media critics and Democratic lawmakers who characterized the remarks as an authoritarian attack on press freedom.
CNN senior political reporter Aaron Blake flagged the administration's approach: "The Trump administration is now threatening the licenses of broadcasters whose news coverage—apparently about the war—it deems to be 'fake.'"
Authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat responded to the threat with stark language. When Republicans Against Trump asked "What country are we living in?" Ben-Ghiat replied simply: "What authoritarians do."
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy issued an urgent warning, stating: "This is the federal government telling news stations to provide favorable coverage of the war or their licenses will be pulled. A truly extraordinary moment. We aren't on the verge of a totalitarian takeover. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. Act like it."
Senator Mark Kelly similarly condemned the FCC's overreach. "When our nation is at war it is critical that the press is free to report without government interference. It is literally in the Constitution. This is overreach by the FCC because this Administration doesn't like the microscope and doesn't want to be held accountable," Kelly said.
The threat represents an unprecedented use of federal regulatory authority to pressure media outlets based on their editorial coverage of government actions.
Dem hits Trump official with profanity-laden warning: 'You will be sued and you will lose'
David McAfee
March 14, 2026
Commissioner of Federal Communications Commission Brendan Carr testifies during an oversight hearing held by the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee to examine the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in Washington, U.S. June 24, 2020. Alex Wong/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
A Democratic congressman on Saturday issued a stern warning to a Trump official seen as threatening overreach on Free Speech in media.
Trump's pick, Commissioner of Federal Communications Commission Brendan Carr, over the weekend issued a warning of his own to broadcast media outlets. In a statement, Carr declared: "Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions - also known as the fake news - have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up. The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not."
Carr's comments represented an unprecedented direct threat by a Trump administration official to use regulatory authority over media licensing as a tool to influence news coverage. One Democratic lawmaker pointed out as much in a post using some profanity.
Congressman Ted Lieu responded to the FCC head, writing, "Dear @BrendanCarrFCC: If you implement your flagrantly anti First Amendment actions, you will be sued and you will lose. And legal discovery will be awesome. Because the American people can then find out what the Administration keeps hiding."
Lieu then added, "Take your fascist s--- and shove it."
David McAfee
March 14, 2026
RAW STORY+
Commissioner of Federal Communications Commission Brendan Carr testifies during an oversight hearing held by the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee to examine the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in Washington, U.S. June 24, 2020. Alex Wong/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
A Democratic congressman on Saturday issued a stern warning to a Trump official seen as threatening overreach on Free Speech in media.
Trump's pick, Commissioner of Federal Communications Commission Brendan Carr, over the weekend issued a warning of his own to broadcast media outlets. In a statement, Carr declared: "Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions - also known as the fake news - have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up. The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not."
Carr's comments represented an unprecedented direct threat by a Trump administration official to use regulatory authority over media licensing as a tool to influence news coverage. One Democratic lawmaker pointed out as much in a post using some profanity.
Congressman Ted Lieu responded to the FCC head, writing, "Dear @BrendanCarrFCC: If you implement your flagrantly anti First Amendment actions, you will be sued and you will lose. And legal discovery will be awesome. Because the American people can then find out what the Administration keeps hiding."
Lieu then added, "Take your fascist s--- and shove it."
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