Bloomberg Businessweek Trump Threatens Licenses of TV Stations That Criticize Him
Sep 18, 2025
Katie Fallow, Deputy Litigation Director at the Knight First Amendment Institute, discusses Trump’s threats against critical media and their implications for free speech. She highlights the chilling effects of regulatory coercion and potential Supreme Court challenges. Chris Miller, an expert in international history, shares insights on the geopolitics of semiconductors, focusing on Intel's deal with NVIDIA amidst supply chain concerns. Aaron Kennon assesses the market outlook, addressing Fed policies and the ramifications for asset allocation amid consumer credit stresses.
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President's License Threat Raises Stakes
- President Trump publicly suggested revoking broadcast licenses of networks that criticize him, raising novel regulatory threats to media freedom.
- That stance departs from longstanding U.S. norms protecting press independence and signals escalating pressure on broadcasters.
Regulatory Pressure Can Coerce Private Speech
- Katie Fallow says the administration is using regulatory and merger scrutiny to coerce companies into suppressing speech it dislikes.
- She frames these tactics as part of a broader, coordinated assault on First Amendment norms.
Use Courts To Block Government Coercion
- The typical recourse for unconstitutional government action is to sue under the First Amendment and seek court rulings and injunctions.
- Courts can protect both targeted speakers and the public interest by declaring government coercion unconstitutional.
