Trump Suggests Pulling NBC’s ‘License’ Over Fake News

President Donald J. Trump directed a subtle threat towards NBC News on Wednesday after blasting the fake news organization’s journalistic standards.

“NBC FAKE NEWS, which is under intense scrutiny over their killing the Harvey Weinstein story, is now fumbling around making excuses for their probably highly unethical conduct. I have long criticized NBC and their journalistic standards-worse than even CNN. Look at their license?” Trump Tweeted.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1036991866124861440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1036991866124861440&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fthehill.com%2Fpolicy%2Ftechnology%2F404923-trump-renews-attacks-on-nbc-license

Trump was referring to a New York Times report which claimed that NBC refused to run reporter Ronan Farrow’s stories regarding allegations of rape against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein in summer of 2017, forcing Farrow to publish them in The New Yorker in December.

The Federal Communications Commission issues broadcasting licenses to stations, not networks, making the chance that NBC will actually lose its license slim.

“Moreover, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai repeatedly said last year that the agency would not revoke those licenses on the basis of a station’s content,” according to The Hill. 

Trump made similar calls last year to look into the licensing of cable news networks, which he feels have treated him unfairly.

Independent studies continue to show that 90 percent of press coverage on the President is negative.