Jane Fonda slams FCC for ‘naked attempt to weaponize government’ over ABC license review
WASHINGTON, DC: Actor and activist Jane Fonda has criticized the Federal Communications Commission’s review of ABC broadcast licenses, calling the move a “naked attempt to weaponize government power” following controversy involving late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.
Fonda’s remarks come after the Federal Communications Commission ordered an accelerated review of licenses held by ABC-owned stations. The action followed a public dispute involving President Donald Trump and Kimmel over a monologue that drew criticism from Trump and his allies.
FCC license review of ABC stations follows Jimmy Kimmel dispute
Fonda shared her thoughts on the controversy in a statement to Variety.
“FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s latest order to review the broadcast license of all ABC stations is a naked attempt to weaponize government power against dissent,” Fonda said.
“What we are seeing fits a deliberate and deeply troubling pattern of authoritarian regimes throughout history, and it should alarm anyone who believes in the First Amendment and the fundamental principle that the government has no authority to decide who gets to speak in a free society,” she added.
“Together, we must call this out clearly and forcefully for what it is: the systematic use of federal power to narrow the range of acceptable speech until only approved voices remain.”
Responding to the situation, Fonda said the FCC’s action raises concerns about how regulatory authority is being used.
She described the review as an effort to apply pressure on a broadcaster over content, framing it as a broader issue related to free expression.
Jane Fonda calls FCC move ‘government overreach’ amid broadcast license scrutiny
Fonda’s comments echo others who say that tying licensing decisions to programming disputes could have wider implications for media organizations. Some have warned such moves could create uncertainty among broadcasters that rely upon federal licenses to operate.
FCC officials have said the review is related to compliance issues and ongoing investigations, not any specific broadcast segment.
The agency does have the power to review licenses to ensure stations are operating in the public interest, but such reviews are rare and often lead to lengthy legal battles.
Disney said ABC stations have a long history of regulatory compliance and serving local communities and said it intends to respond to the review through normal channels.
On Monday, both the president and the First Lady called on ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel after he joked about Trump’s death during a mock White House Correspondents Dinner, referring to Melania Trump as an “expectant widow.”
“Jimmy Kimmel, who is in no way funny as attested to by his terrible Television Ratings, made a statement on his Show that is really shocking,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
