Trump says ABC’s license should be revoked after reporter’s Epstein files question
Win McNamee/Getty Images
- Trump called on Tuesday for ABC to have its broadcast license revoked.
- It came after an ABC reporter asked him a question about the release of the Epstein files.
- The House is set to vote on Tuesday to order the release of the files.
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that ABC News should have its broadcast license revoked after one of the network’s reporters asked him about the Jeffrey Epstein files.
“I think the license should be taken away from ABC,” Trump said in the Oval Office, seated beside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “Because your news is so fake, and it’s so wrong.”
He added that Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr should “look at” revoking ABC’s license because the network is “97% negative to Trump” and is “not credible.”
Reporter: Mr. President, why wait for congress to release the Epstein files? Why not just do it now?
Trump: It’s not the question that I mind. It’s your attitude… I think the license should be taken away from ABC. We have a great commissioner, a chairman who should look at… pic.twitter.com/rSPG2m9EK4
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 18, 2025
Trump’s comments came after the reporter asked him why he would not order his administration to release the Epstein files, even as he’s called on members of Congress to vote for a bill that would compel his administration to release those same documents.
Earlier, that same reporter had also asked Trump about his family’s business dealings in Saudi Arabia, and had asked the country’s crown prince about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
Trump called the network “fake news” and accused the reporter of trying to embarrass the crown prince.
The Oval Office press conference took place shortly before an expected vote in the House to release the files, which was originally prompted by an effort by Democrats and a small group of Republicans against Trump’s wishes.
The president reversed his position on the vote over the weekend after initially trying to quash the effort, and on Monday, he told reporters that he would sign the bill if it passes the Senate and reaches his desk.
Spokespeople for the Walt Disney Company, the parent company of ABC News, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump has previously called for the network to have its license revoked, and Carr faced criticism for appearing to pressure the network to take comedian Jimmy Kimmel off the air following comments he made about Charlie Kirk.