Bill Handel accused the FCC of targeting ABC for political reasons. The KFI-AM 640 host linked the agency’s actions to President Donald Trump.
What We Know: Bill Handel used his nationally recognized morning show to argue the FCC is pursuing ABC as political retribution tied to President Donald Trump. The longtime KFI-AM 640 host made the comments while discussing the commission’s ongoing scrutiny of the Disney-owned broadcaster. Handel contended the agency isn’t acting independently. Instead, he suggested federal regulators are carrying out the president’s agenda against a media company he believes has drawn Trump’s criticism. His remarks add another prominent media voice to the broader debate surrounding the FCC’s role and whether its recent actions are politically motivated.
What They Said: “It’s a case of retribution, simple as that. You say anything against the president? He uses the powers of the presidency, the executive branch — in this case, the FCC — to go after that organization. As I’ve said many, many times before, we are in a whole new world, to say the least.” -Bill Handel
What Remains Unclear: It’s still unclear whether the FCC’s review of ABC will result in any regulatory action. Likewise, the commission hasn’t indicated that political considerations influence its decisions. Federal regulators have maintained that they evaluate broadcast matters under existing law and commission policy rather than partisan concerns.
What It Means: Handel’s comments reflect growing concern among media personalities about the relationship between politics and broadcast regulation. As scrutiny of major television networks continues, debates over the FCC’s independence will likely remain in focus. Moreover, accusations that regulators are acting on behalf of elected officials could intensify political pressure on the commission while fueling broader discussions about press freedom, government oversight, and the limits of federal regulatory authority.
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.