Brendan Carr schools media, demanding more patriotic content: 'Start with Pledge of Allegiance'
The Trump admin aims to “rebalance” the media by encouraging television broadcasters to “stand up” for their communities and air more patriotic programming, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr revealed to @mirandadevine on “Pod Force One.” Subscribe here: https://t.co/rozgf45ZeN pic.twitter.com/0uleaSuaYk
— New York Post (@nypost) March 18, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr has asked media networks to focus more on broadcasting “patriotic programming” and “pro-America” content ahead of America's 250th anniversary.
On the New York Post’s ‘PodForceOne,’ podcast on Wednesday, March 18, he reportedly said, “We’re inviting broadcasters to once again highlight the great wins of the country and to run patriotic programming. Maybe starting off with the Pledge of Allegiance, which we used to do.”
“But there are lots of ways that you can run pro-America content,” Carr added.
Carr slams Hollywood for 'woke ideology'
The 47-year-old also slammed New York and Hollywood for the explosion of “woke ideology.” While answering host Miranda Devine’s question about losing “their way” and becoming “anti-American,” he replied, “New York and Hollywood have never been known for really having the pulse of the cross-section of the country.”
“We saw this just significant explosion of DEI and woke ideology, and it was just fully embraced, hook, line and sinker by New York and Hollywood,” he added.
Carr warns media houses of license cancellation
Though Carr did not specify the exact meaning of “patriotic programming,” it has been speculated that he meant programs supporting President Donald Trump.
This came after last week, Carr issued a statement on X, threatening broadcasters “that are running hoaxes and news distortions.”
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.
— Brendan Carr (@BrendanCarrFCC) March 14, 2026
The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they… https://t.co/7bBgnsbalw
He stated, “The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not.”
The lawyer also further claimed that people have lost their trust in the media that “has now fallen to an all time low of just 9 per cent and are ratings disasters.”
“It is very important to bring trust back into media, which has earned itself the label of fake news. When a political candidate is able to win a landslide election victory after in the face of hoaxes and distortions, there is something very wrong,” Carr said as he concluded, “Time for change!”
Trump hails Carr for threatening media houses
Trump also praised Carr for his efforts in a Truth Social post.
Trump: "The story was knowingly FAKE and, in a certain way, you can say that those Media Outlets that generated it should be brought up on Charges for TREASON for the dissemination of false information! ... I am so thrilled to see Brendan Carr, the Chairman of the Federal… pic.twitter.com/LygeaoIgfA
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 15, 2026
The US leader wrote, “I am so thrilled to see Brendan Carr, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), looking at the licenses of some of these Corrupt and Highly Unpatriotic ‘News’ Organizations,” while slamming Iran for allegedly using AI to spread fake news.
"They get Billions of Dollars of FREE American Airwaves, and use it to perpetuate LIES, both in News and almost all of their Shows," Trump added.