‘Head under the guillotine’: ABC says Trump’s threats are already influencing media coverage

ABC programs are already toning down their election coverage ahead of the midterm elections to avoid angering the president Donald Trumpa lawyer for the broadcasting company told a federal judge Tuesday, but a possible reprieve is still likely weeks away.

ABC accuses FCC chairman Brendan Carr to threaten to impose the death penalty on its eight stations in the country’s largest television markets by taking its licenses back for review years ahead of schedule. That’s forcing the Disney-owned channel to question how it covers the midterm elections for fear of angering the administration, ABC’s lawyer told a federal judge in Washington on Tuesday, a consideration that is seeping into decision-making about whether to air presidential speeches and what political programming should look like on daytime shows like “The View.”

The most important issue, however, may be preparation for the 2028 presidential election, as is any decision by the U.S. district judge Loren AliKhan That could affect how all broadcasters rate the president’s mood when covering politics. ABC, the broadcasting house of Jimmy Kimmelhas stood out for its pushback from many media companies facing pressure from the administration, and a court victory – or defeat – could have a significant influence on what the network broadcasts.

The result could be an indicator for other national networks, which have faced similar threats from Asset And Carr on their cover.