Trump’s FCC Threat: A Slippery Slope for Press Freedom

Donald Trump’s recent threat to report NBC News’ Kristen Welker to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over her comments on his endorsement track record is a stark reminder of the dangers of conflating criticism with censorship. On Sunday, Trump took to Truth Social to lash out at Welker, who observed that his endorsements have “mixed results,” pointing to several high-profile losses in recent primaries.

A closer examination reveals that Trump’s move is more than just another iteration of his long-standing beefs with the media. By invoking the FCC, Trump aims to leverage government regulation to silence his critics and reinforce his own narrative. This isn’t solely about Welker or NBC News; it sets a precedent that could have far-reaching implications for press freedom in this country.

The FCC’s mission statement makes clear why Trump’s call is troubling: the agency “does not investigate claims of collateral inaccuracy in news reports or differences of opinion over the truth or validity of aspects of a news program.” In other words, the FCC exists to regulate broadcast and telecommunications law, not to police the press for perceived bias or inaccuracies. Despite this clear distinction, Trump seems willing to disregard it.

Trump’s language echoes that of authoritarian regimes around the world, as he thundered on Sunday: “The FAKE POLLS USED BY OUR CROOKED MEDIA ARE OUT OF CONTROL, AND SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT IT.” This kind of rhetoric makes Trump a significant threat to press freedom – his willingness to conflate criticism with treason and attempts to browbeat the media into submission.

This is not an isolated incident. We’ve seen how Trump uses government power to silence critics: from suing former employees for defamation to attempting to revoke CNN’s White House press credentials. This latest threat should serve as a wake-up call to all who care about a free press – we must be vigilant in defending our right to criticize those in power.

Moreover, Trump’s FCC gambit raises questions about the role of government regulation in policing the media. Does he truly believe that the FCC is empowered to investigate and punish journalists for “collateral inaccuracy”? Or is this just another attempt to muddy the waters and distract from his own vulnerabilities?

Trump’s track record suggests a consistent effort to use every tool at his disposal – including government regulation, lawsuits, and social media – to silence critics and reinforce his own narrative. This behavior can have far-reaching consequences for democracy, as seen with the rise of authoritarian regimes around the world.

As the midterms approach, Trump’s FCC threat should be a clarion call to action for all who care about press freedom. We must defend our right to criticize those in power, even when it gets uncomfortable or inconvenient. Anything less would be a betrayal of the very principles that underpin our democracy.