Trump issues worrying four-word threat to NBC over 'absolute worst' story

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again taken aim at the mainstream media, this time directing his anger toward NBC and ABC News. In a late-night outburst, Trump accused both networks of being “fake news” and “biased,” claiming they cover him negatively in nearly 97% of their reports.

Trump alleged that these broadcasters act as “an arm of the Democratic Party” and went so far as to suggest they should lose their broadcasting licenses. He wrote bluntly: “They should lose their licenses.” He also argued that networks using public airwaves should be forced to pay “millions of dollars a year in license fees,” suggesting their journalism was “crooked” and should be “terminated.”

The former president’s comments came after both networks continued covering his alleged ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell a topic Trump has long tried to distance himself from.

Can Trump Actually Revoke Licenses?

While Trump’s rhetoric was forceful, the reality is different. National broadcasters like NBC and ABC don’t directly hold FCC licenses. Instead, their local affiliate stations operate under FCC regulation. Revoking those licenses over political coverage would likely violate First Amendment protections, and courts have historically blocked such attempts.

Trump’s History of Media Clashes

This isn’t Trump’s first battle with TV networks. He previously settled a $15 million defamation lawsuit against ABC and has frequently labeled media outlets as “fake news.” Ironically, NBC once hosted his reality TV show The Apprentice before he entered politics.

Public Opinion and Poll Numbers

Despite his claims of “record popularity,” recent polls show a different picture. A Reuters/Ipsos poll last week put Trump’s approval rating at just 40%, with 54% disapproving of his performance including concerns over his closeness to Russian President Vladimir Putin after their recent meeting in Alaska. Other surveys this month also showed his net approval in the negatives, ranging from -3 to -20 points.