On August 18, 2026 Disney and its ABC unit sued the Federal Communications Commission in federal court in Washington, asking a judge to block FCC steps they say could force ABC stations off the air. The complaint seeks preliminary and permanent injunctions to stop an early review of eight ABC station license renewals and alleges the FCC has waged a retaliatory campaign that violates ABC’s First Amendment rights. The suit names repeated government attacks on ABC content, citing pressure tied to programs such as Jimmy Kimmel and The View and objections to ABC’s diversity policies. The filing, signed by attorney Paul Clement, calls the FCC’s conduct an effort to strip licenses in response to disfavored speech and opens with the line "Government censorship is deeply un-American." Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro told CNBC the company will "stand up" for journalistic integrity. PEN America publicly commended ABC for taking the legal step. If the court grants injunctive relief, the FCC would be barred from carrying out the challenged early license reviews while the case proceeds in court.
