By M. Huitsing
President Donald Trump’s recent actions against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) appear to be part of a broader effort to combat perceived media bias and shape media narratives in his favor.
A key component of this strategy is his $10 billion lawsuit against CBS, alleging that the network manipulated Vice President Kamala Harris’s interview on 60 Minutes to her advantage during the election. President Trump’s new head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr, has intervened, requesting unedited transcripts and footage from CBS to review potential news distortion violations—an unusual move according to former FCC Commissioner Harold Furchtgott-Roth, who told VOA that “the commission doesn’t usually ask for transcripts.”
This lawsuit and the FCC investigation coincide with Paramount Global’s (CBS’s parent company) proposed merger with Skydance Media., a Hollywood studio backed by tech entrepreneur David Ellison. Carr later stated that the news distortion complaint could factor into the FCC’s review of the merger, raising concerns that regulatory scrutiny is being used as leverage against CBS and its parent company. By tying the complaint to the merger review, Carr suggests that media bias concerns could influence the FCC’s approval process, increasing pressure on CBS.
Beyond CBS, the FCC has also launched investigations into NPR and PBS, scrutinizing their corporate sponsorships and potential violations of federal law. These moves align with growing speculation that Trump is using regulatory power to reshape media coverage and push networks into alignment with his administration. At its core, Trump’s strategy is clear—he is leveraging legal action and FCC oversight to challenge and control the media narrative, exerting pressure on outlets he deems adversarial.
While past administrations have clashed with the press, Trump’s approach goes further—tying regulatory approvals to media compliance. This isn’t just criticism; it’s using government power to pressure outlets into alignment, setting a dangerous precedent for press freedom.
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