In a significant display of support, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez has publicly commended Disney for its resolute stance against what she describes as the Trump administration’s efforts to “punish and intimidate” the company and its network ABC. Gomez’s remarks were made in a letter addressed to Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro on May 11, highlighting her unique position as the only Democrat among the FCC’s three current commissioners.
Gomez expressed concern over actions taken by the FCC, which is led by Brendan Carr, a loyalist of the former president, targeting ABC due to comments made by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and the hosts of “The View.” In her letter, she posited that Disney and ABC are not experiencing a series of coincidental regulatory actions but rather a systematic campaign of censorship aimed at undermining press freedom.
This campaign escalated earlier this year when the FCC initiated enforcement proceedings against ABC regarding alleged violations of the equal time rule linked to a political candidate’s appearance on “The View.” In response, ABC contended that the FCC’s actions could disrupt decades of established law and practice, raising concerns about the chilling effect on protected speech by compelling its affiliates to reassess whether the program qualifies as a legitimate news broadcast.
The tensions intensified following Carr’s threats last September to investigate television stations for “news distortion” unless they distanced themselves from Kimmel, who had made remarks perceived to criticize the MAGA movement. This pressure reportedly led to ABC suspending Kimmel temporarily before reinstating him due to public backlash.
Moreover, the FCC’s Media Bureau issued an unprecedented directive requiring ABC to reapply for spectrum licenses for its stations under a hastened timeline—a move that many interpret as retaliatory, coinciding with President Trump’s public demand for Kimmel’s dismissal due to an off-color joke.
Gomez’s letter articulates the broader implications of the FCC’s actions, asserting that they constitute an overreach of regulatory authority and an attempt to impose political pressures on a prominent media company. She affirms her belief that Disney will ultimately prevail against these ongoing challenges, emphasizing the richness of the First Amendment and the need to protect press freedom.
In closing, she encouraged Disney to proceed with fortitude against the mounting pressures, reaffirming her commitment to using her position as a commissioner to ensure transparency and accountability regarding the FCC’s actions aimed at curbing press liberation. Gomez believes that the outcome may take time, but she feels optimistic about Disney’s fight for its rights and the broader implications for media freedom in the face of government overreach.
