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FCC reviews ABC licences after Jimmy Kimmel joke sparks Melania backlash
International
Published on 28 April 2026
The FCC says it is only about policies
The FCC has opened a review of ABC licences after controversy erupted over a Jimmy Kimmel joke referencing Melania Trump. Supporters argue the regulator is focusing on station policies, while critics call it political pressure on content and free speech. Legal outcomes, if pursued, could take a long time—leaving the network in limbo.
- FCC has begun reviewing ABC’s broadcast licences
- Trigger was backlash over a Jimmy Kimmel Melania-related joke
- Officials cite company policy checks, critics suspect content pressure
- Any legal resolution could stretch out for years
Read the full story at The Economic Times
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
The Economic Times