Power Grab/Make it too expensive to hold him accountable
FCC Chairman Carr says the commission is weighing “a lot of actions” against networks airing “fake polls” before the midterms
— Carr says FCC weighs 'a lot of actions' against networks over 'fake polls'.
Carr spoke on Fox News on September 6, 2026, a week after Trump called for the FCC to punish NBC’s Kristen Welker; no guidance had been issued by October 9.
What happened
On September 6, 2026, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr told Fox News’s “The Sunday Briefing” that the commission was looking at “a lot of actions” to stop networks airing fake polls and partisan coverage before the midterms. He said the FCC may put out guidance soon to remind broadcasters of their obligations not to air fake polls, particularly if done to suppress voters.
Carr said broadcasters must serve the public interest, not a narrow partisan interest, and that President Trump was “over the target.” The remarks followed Trump’s call for the FCC to punish NBC’s Kristen Welker. Commissioner Anna Gomez said the FCC has no authority to punish journalists the administration dislikes. No guidance had been issued as of October 9.
Who benefited
Trump gained a regulator who, a week after his post about Welker, said the commission was weighing actions against networks. Carr said the President was “over the target.” The FCC chairman’s remarks put broadcasters on notice before the midterms, without any order or penalty.
Who wanted something
The FCC chairman wanted broadcasters to stop airing what he called fake polls and partisan coverage before the midterms. He said guidance may come soon, and that broadcasters must serve the public interest. The remarks followed Trump’s call for the FCC to punish NBC’s Kristen Welker.
Who lost out
Broadcasters now have a federal regulator saying he is weighing actions over polls and coverage before the midterms, with no definition of a “fake poll.” Commissioner Anna Gomez said the FCC has no authority to punish journalists the administration dislikes. No guidance had been issued as of October 9.
Why it matters
The head of the agency that licenses broadcasters said on Fox News that the commission is weighing actions over polls and partisan coverage. The remarks came a week after Trump asked the FCC to punish a journalist. No action has been announced.
Sources The HillFox News (primary)TheWrap
More
on
this
- ReceiptThe FCC asks a court to throw out ABC’s First Amendment challenge to its early licence reviewSame group: Punish critical news coverage
- ReceiptThe Treasury Department denies G20 credentials to economics reporters from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and BloombergSame group: Punish critical news coverage
- ReceiptTrump says NBC’s Kristen Welker “will be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment” over a broadcast segmentSame group: Punish critical news coverage
- ExplainerWho Stood Up to Trump, and Who FoldedWho stood up to him, and who folded