Here’s the rewritten story:
The FCC is reportedly planning to file paperwork to challenge the broadcast licenses of eight Disney-owned television stations. The move follows recent comments by Jimmy Kimmel Live! host Jimmy Kimmel that have drawn sharp criticism from the White House.
During a mock White House Correspondents’ Dinner roast last week, Kimmel said First Lady Melania Trump had the “glow of an expectant widow.” The joke drew widespread backlash — especially after Saturday’s shooting at the actual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which took place two days later.
In response, FCC Chair Brendan Carr appeared on The Katie Miller Podcast. Host Katie Miller — wife of White House advisor Stephen Miller — asked Carr what license revocation could look like in practice.
“There’s lots of options,” Carr said. “You have a license. The licenses come due every so often. You can accelerate when a license comes due and say, ‘Hey, we have significant concerns with the value of conducting your operations. We want to review your license now. And decide if you’re in the public interest.'”
He continued: “If we find that a broadcaster hasn’t been doing that, then the statute requires us to issue a hearing designation order.”
That process now appears to be moving forward. Semafor’s Liz Hoffman and Rohan Goswami report that the FCC is working to file paperwork reviewing Disney’s broadcast licenses for eight local TV stations the company owns and operates.
The potential review follows calls from both President Donald Trump and the First Lady for Kimmel’s firing over the monologue.
Semafor notes the FCC could still choose not to initiate the process. However, CNN’s Brian Stelter reported the paperwork could be filed as early as this afternoon.
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