Disney and ABC Accuse FCC of Coercive License Renewal Probe Amid DEI Investigation

Disney and ABC have filed a lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) alleging that the agency used the early license renewal process for eight ABC‑owned stations to avoid judicial review and exert maximal coercive pressure. The lawsuit, filed in August, claims the FCC’s focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices was a retaliatory campaign tied to the network’s criticism of former President Donald Trump, citing shows such as Jimmy Kimmel and the daytime talk program "The View." Disney argues the FCC could have employed less intrusive tools, while FCC spokesperson Adam Jackman dismissed the filing as an attempt to block the agency’s regulatory duties. The case highlights ongoing tensions between the FCC’s enforcement of public‑interest obligations and perceived political retaliation.