President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration is making it clear that accountability will be a cornerstone of its approach to governance, including its dealings with national media. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Brendan Carr demonstrated this with a pointed letter to Disney CEO Bob Iger, criticizing the role of Disney-owned ABC News in eroding public trust in journalism.
Carr’s letter comes against the backdrop of a recent legal settlement where ABC agreed to pay $15 million to Trump’s future presidential foundation and an additional $1 million in attorney fees. The settlement resolved a defamation case stemming from a March broadcast of ABC’s flagship Sunday program, This Week. During the broadcast, anchor George Stephanopoulos repeatedly stated that Trump had been “found liable for rape” in the E. Jean Carroll case, despite prior warnings against using the term.
“The American people no longer trust the national news media to report fully, accurately, and fairly,” Carr wrote, highlighting widespread public skepticism toward national outlets while contrasting them with more trusted local news organizations. Carr’s criticism of ABC News is part of a broader concern over the disconnect between national programming and the trust local affiliates maintain with their communities.
Carr suggested that Disney’s prioritization of its streaming services over content for local affiliates exacerbates the issue. He emphasized the importance of retransmission consent revenues, which allow local broadcast stations to invest in news operations tailored to their communities. “The fact that a massive trust divide has emerged between local news outlets and national programmers like ABC only increases the importance” of these revenues, he explained.
The defamation case that fueled Carr’s letter underscores the growing scrutiny national media faces over journalistic standards. Stephanopoulos, a former Democratic strategist, came under fire for his language during the broadcast, which critics argue further damaged ABC’s credibility and contributed to the settlement.
Carr’s letter also pointed to the broader implications of the settlement, suggesting it reflects a pattern of behavior within national media organizations that prioritizes sensationalism over accountability. By drawing attention to Disney’s practices, Carr appears to signal that the incoming administration will take a firm stance on holding media companies responsible for their actions.
ABC’s settlement with Trump, coupled with its ongoing programming decisions, has sparked renewed debate about the role of media in shaping public perceptions. For Carr and others, ensuring transparency and fairness in journalism is crucial to restoring confidence in the press—a task they argue begins with national outlets like ABC.
This issue strikes at the heart of a broader challenge: the growing divide between national and local news. While local affiliates continue to enjoy higher levels of trust from their audiences, the perceived bias and misconduct of national networks risk undermining the media landscape as a whole.
For Americans, the stakes are high. Trust in the media is a cornerstone of democracy, shaping how citizens understand and engage with the world around them. The Trump administration’s focus on this issue signals its belief in the need for a robust, honest, and accountable press to serve the public good.
