Minutes Before Appearing on Fox News Trump Doubles Down on Threat to Revoke Licenses of ‘Partisan’ News Networks
‘Network News Has Become So Partisan, Distorted and Fake That Licenses Must Be Challenged and, if Appropriate, Revoked’ Trump Threatens
President Donald Trump is doubling down on his threat from earlier Wednesday morning to revoke the broadcast licenses of news networks whose content he dislikes. Wednesday evening, less than one hour before he was scheduled to be interviewed on Fox News by Sean Hannity, the president took to Twitter to blast what he called the “partisan, distorted and fake” news networks.
“Network news has become so partisan, distorted and fake that licenses must be challenged and, if appropriate, revoked. Not fair to public!” Trump tweeted at 8:09 PM.
Network news has become so partisan, distorted and fake that licenses must be challenged and, if appropriate, revoked. Not fair to public!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 12, 2017
Just a few hours earlier, he had promoted his upcoming appearance on “Hannity,” posting this tweet which he retweeted minutes after threatening to revoke the licenses of the “partisan” news networks.
I will be interviewed tonight on @FoxNews by @SeanHannity at 9pmE. Enjoy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 11, 2017
Of all the news networks, Fox News is the most partisan, and studies show watching Fox News actually makes viewers less knowledgable than not watching any news programs.
An avid Fox News watcher, Trump, it was revealed just Tuesday, often calls Sean Hannity after the Fox News host’s show ends.Â
The president may be unaware but he does not have the power to revoke the licenses of news networks. Licenses are issued to individual stations, not networks per se. And cable news outlets need no license. It is an empty threat that, like most, is designed to feed his base.
To comment on this article and other NCRM content, visit our Facebook page.
If you find NCRM valuable, would you please consider making a donation to support our independent journalism?
Â

Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |