The Trump administration is escalating threats against news organizations, with President Trump suggesting outlets should face “treason” charges for disseminating false information. Brendan Carr, the chair of the Federal Communications Commission, has also threatened to revoke broadcasters’ licenses over their coverage of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. This all comes as allies of President Trump consolidate their control over several major media outlets. Paramount Skydance, led by Trump ally David Ellison, is poised to acquire Warner Bros., which includes CNN.
“They want these companies to be afraid,” says Craig Aaron, CEO of Free Press and Free Press Action. “As we’ve seen, whether it’s lawyers, universities, media companies, when the bullying works, you just get more and more bullying.”