FCC Chair Brendan Carr said Thursday that ABC’s The View may be subject to federal scrutiny if it no longer qualifies as a bona fide news program. During an appearance on conservative commentator Scott Jennings’s podcast, Carr questioned whether the show should remain exempt from the FCC’s equal time rule, which requires broadcast stations to offer equal airtime to all qualified political candidates.
“I think it’s worthwhile to have the FCC look into whether The View still qualifies,” Carr said. While some shows qualify due to their coverage of current events and commentary, he argued that The View may fall outside those boundaries. “Potentially, you could make the argument it is a bona fide news show, but I’m not so sure about that,” he added.
Carr’s remarks follow his criticism of ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live after the host made controversial statements about the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Kimmel was suspended shortly afterward, raising questions about FCC pressure on networks over political content.
The equal time rule applies only to broadcast license holders—not cable or streaming services—but does allow exceptions for news interviews, documentaries, and legitimate news programs. Carr suggested that The View
ABC has not responded publicly to Carr’s comments or stated whether it believes The View qualifies for exemption. Though no formal investigation has been launched, Carr’s remarks indicate the show could face increased scrutiny ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Trump's FCC Chair: I think it's worthwhile to have the FCC look into The View and some of those programs pic.twitter.com/aZnON5sIQ1
— FactPost (@factpostnews) September 18, 2025
