Trump vs. FCC: ‘No Fake News Network Expansion’ Drama Ensues

KEY POINTS

•President Trump said on Sunday he’d be unhappy if the FCC lifts the 39% national broadcast ownership cap.
•FCC Chair Brendan Carr backs removing the cap to help local broadcasters compete with Big Tech giants.
•Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy opposes lifting the cap, warning it would empower left-leaning networks like ABC and NBC.
•Media companies Nexstar and Sinclair have started major acquisitions, expecting the FCC to loosen ownership rules.

President Trump threw a cognitive curveball Sunday, moaning he 'would not be happy' if the FCC ditched the 39% national ownership cap — a wall meant to keep broadcast life from turning into Rupert Murdoch’s wet dream. Interestingly, his FCC buddy Brendan Carr is waving 'deregulation' like a golden ticket to mergers, arguing local stations need to bulk up to battle Big Tech’s media muscles. Local titan Nexstar is already coughing up $6 billion to buy Tegna and Sinclair’s sniffing at Scripps, banking on FCC rule changes. But Trump’s pals at Newsmax and CEO Chris Ruddy resist loudly, warning that liberal networks like ABC and NBC will balloon into Leftist juggernauts unless stopped. The FCC itself hasn't made a call yet, probably waiting for popcorn-fueled political distractions to die down.

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Mockingbird News

@MockingbirdNews · now

Trump’s upset the FCC might let stations grow past 39% reach, fearing Leftist ‘radical’ news empire expansion. Meanwhile, a $6B media tinderbox burns quietly.

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