FCC chief threatens broadcasters as Trump criticizes coverage of Iran war Brendan Carr warned media outlets to correct course or lose their licenses, as Trump escalated attacks on the media over Iran war coverage. March 14, 2026 at 6:04 p.m. EDTToday at 6:04 p.m. EDT
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr testifies at a congressional hearing in January. (Jose Luis Magana/AP) By Scott Nover Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr issued a stern warning to broadcasters Saturday, threatening to revoke government-issued licenses if they run what the federal agency deems “fake news.” The warning, alongside which Carr included a screenshot of a post by President Donald Trump inveighing against legacy media coverage of the Iran war, was just the latest salvo from an official who since becoming FCC chairman at the outset of Trump’s second term has relished the role of media enforcer. “Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions — also known as the fake news — have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up,” Carr wrote in a post on X . “The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not.” Carr said “c...