Walt Disney Co. and its ABC Television Network unit filed a lawsuit on Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to block an early license review of eight ABC-owned television stations.
The complaint alleges the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking to retaliate against ABC for its editorial content, which has drawn repeated criticism from the Trump administration. Disney stated the review process represents an attempt to coerce compliance with demands to suppress coverage the administration disfavors.
The lawsuit asserts the FCC's actions violate constitutional protections and federal law, arguing the review is being used as a punitive measure rather than a regulatory function. ABC has faced repeated calls from President Donald Trump to cancel programs he opposes, and the administration has previously pressured the FCC to revoke the network's licenses.
The eight stations under review are owned and operated by ABC and serve major U.S. television markets. The legal challenge marks a direct confrontation between the entertainment conglomerate and federal regulators over broadcast licensing authority and editorial independence.
