Trump Nominates Project 2025 Author Brendan Carr To FCC
Brendan Carr, President-elect Donald Trump’s appointee to head the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has openly threatened broadcast media with stricter regulations under the guise of enforcing their public interest obligations. Trump’s choice of Carr, a staunch advocate for conservative media policies, raises alarm bells about potential government overreach into the media landscape. Notably, Carr’s comments come against a backdrop of Trump’s persistent grievances regarding media coverage, particularly following a contentious 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.
During an appearance on Fox News, Carr indicated that he would closely scrutinize media operations, claiming that legacy media must change due to a loss of public trust. He cited Jeff Bezos’s assertion that Americans consider news media to be the least trusted source, suggesting that this sentiment justifies a shift in FCC policies to hold broadcasters accountable for their content.
Moreover, Carr’s support for a controversial merger between Paramount and Skydance appears contingent on the outcome of an ongoing FCC complaint related to CBS’s coverage of the Harris interview. His remarks signal a willingness to intertwine regulatory actions with political grievances, a move that could further undermine the independence of the FCC and jeopardize journalistic integrity.
In Carr’s view, the FCC should reassess its role in regulating broadcasters, who are granted access to public airwaves in exchange for serving the public interest. His statement about enforcing these obligations raises concerns that the FCC may become a tool for furthering partisan agendas, rather than a neutral body ensuring fair media practices.
With Carr’s history connected to the Heritage Foundation and Project 2025, concerns mount regarding his commitment to unbiased media oversight. His comments align with Trump’s broader narrative of combating perceived censorship and promoting ‘free speech,’ which often translates into silencing dissenting voices under the guise of regulation. The implications of Carr’s leadership at the FCC could reshape the information landscape and pose risks to the foundational principles of a free press.