Disney faces FCC review of ABC licenses amid DEI probe and Kimmel dispute

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Disney FCC review of ABC

Highlights

FCC, led by Brendan Carr, is investigating Disney's ABC over possible Communications Act violations and may accelerate license renewal deadline beyond May 28.
Disney faces intensified political and regulatory scrutiny after ABC host Jimmy Kimmel's controversial jokes sparked calls for his firing by Trump and the first lady.
Previous suspension of Kimmel led to millions of canceled Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions, highlighting potential financial and reputational risks from ongoing FCC probe and talent disputes.

FCC probe links license renewals to discrimination review

As reported by Business Insider, the FCC under Chair Brendan Carr says it is investigating Disney's ABC stations for possible violations of the Communications Act of 1934 and agency rules, including a prohibition on unlawful discrimination. The filing says ABC must submit license renewals for its licensed TV stations by May 28, or within 30 days.

Carr, who was appointed by Trump, says in a clip posted Tuesday by conservative podcaster Katie Miller that there is evidence Disney has been "pretty bad" and may be giving different opportunities to people based on race or gender. He says that could raise longer-term character questions for the company and adds that he could accelerate ABC's license renewal date.

Disney, like many U.S. companies, is adjusting its diversity, equity and inclusion policies in the Trump era. The company has deemphasized terms such as "diversity" and "equity."

Political and business fallout for Disney

The FCC review comes days after controversy over a joke by ABC host Jimmy Kimmel, who said last Thursday that the first lady "had a glow like an expectant widow." On Monday, Trump writes in a social media post that "Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC," while the first lady says on X that "people like Kimmel shouldn't have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate."

Seth Stern, director of advocacy for the Freedom of the Press Foundation, says the matter is not really about DEI and argues the FCC is using the issue as a pretext to target ABC's licenses for content-based reasons. Carr also criticized Kimmel last fall over the host's comments about Charlie Kirk's killer, saying at the time that broadcasters could face license review if they were not acting in the public interest.

Disney and ABC temporarily suspended Kimmel's show last fall but have not done so this time. The earlier suspension also brought consumer backlash, with Business Insider previously reporting that millions of streaming subscribers canceled Disney+ and Hulu after Kimmel was sidelined.

Our earlier coverage of the FY2027 EPA budget hearing outlined how U.S. lawmakers reviewed President Trump’s funding request and Administrator Lee Zeldin’s priorities, including Superfund cleanups, Clean Air Act permitting guidance, and stricter drinking-water monitoring. We also noted the administration’s broader push to refocus agencies on core statutory duties while rolling back selected prior regulations, with Congress using hearings to press accountability and shape enforcement direction.

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