FCC’s Brendan Carr says Disney TV license review is about DEI, not Jimmy Kimmel
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated that the decision to initiate an early license review for Disney’s ABC television stations is focused on the company's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, not on comedian Jimmy Kimmel's recent remarks about Melania Trump. The review, part of an ongoing probe since March 2025, questions whether Disney is complying with federal equal employment opportunity rules. While the timing follows President Trump’s call for Kimmel’s firing, Carr emphasized the action is based on regulatory concerns rather than free speech issues.
- ▪FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the license review of Disney’s ABC stations is based on DEI conduct, not Jimmy Kimmel’s speech.
- ▪The FCC launched its initial probe into Disney’s DEI practices in March 2025 to assess compliance with equal employment opportunity rules.
- ▪Carr accused Disney of being uncooperative, describing its response to document requests as 'playing rope-a-dope'.
- ▪Jimmy Kimmel’s joke about Melania Trump, calling her 'a glow like an expectant widow,' sparked renewed tension with President Trump.
- ▪Disney has until May 28 to comply with the FCC’s order and owns eight major-market TV stations, including in New York and Los Angeles.
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Media FCC’s Brendan Carr says Disney TV license review is about DEI, not Jimmy Kimmel By Alexandra Steigrad Published April 30, 2026, 4:47 p.m. ET Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr said Thursday that the decision to order an early license review for Disney’s ABC television stations is about the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives — not President Trump’s clash with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. “This was based on DEI conduct and not speech,” Carr said at a press conference following the FCC’s monthly meeting. The review, which was announced on Tuesday, came a day after Trump demanded Kimmel’s firing on Truth Social for a joke the comedian made at the expense of first lady Melania Trump on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” last week.
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