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After months of fierce political battles, former President Donald Trump was elected the 47th President of the United States on November 5. He becomes only the second president in history to serve two non-consecutive terms. The race for the presidency was one of the most contentious in recent memory, leaving many feeling that the country has never been more divided.
Since his controversial victory, Trump has made a series of similarly contentious cabinet appointments. One of these picks, however, could pose a significant challenge to Disney in the near future.
Credit: Screenshot, Presidential Debate, ABC News
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On November 17, Trump announced that he would appoint Brendan Carr as the head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC oversees and regulates communications in the U.S., including cable and streaming services.
During the election cycle, Trump sought to distance himself from Project 2025, a political initiative backed by figures considered extreme within the Republican Party. However, he collaborated closely with many of the initiative’s authors, which was later rebranded as Agenda 47—Brendan Carr was one of its key contributors. Carr, in fact, was the author of the communications section of Project 2025.
Credit: Gage Skidmore, Flickr
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Brendan Carr authored the communications chapter of Project 2025, which outlines a conservative approach to reshaping regulatory frameworks. This project has garnered attention for its potential to tighten governmental control on media and telecommunications, reflecting a growing trend among Republican leadership to address perceived biases in media coverage.
The FCC has traditionally been viewed as an independent regulatory body tasked with ensuring fair and efficient communication across various platforms. Historical leaders from both major parties have typically focused on broadband expansion and technological equity.
Credit: Screenshot, ‘Good Morning America’, ABC
However, Carr’s appointment may pivot the FCC’s focus toward greater scrutiny of media narratives and content regulation, in line with Trump’s expressed desires during his campaign to counter media outlets’ criticisms. The implications of this shift could reverberate through the media landscape, particularly for major players like Disney, which owns ABC.
Under Carr’s leadership, the FCC might adopt more aggressive stances against media platforms accused of censorship. This could entail targeting specific networks and broadcasters deemed antagonistic to the administration, raising fears about the potential erosion of journalistic independence.
For Disney, this poses a pressing concern, as ABC has often been in the crosshairs of Trump’s public critiques, reflecting a broader hostility towards mainstream media.
Credit: Screenshot, ‘Good Morning America’, ABC News
Alongside his focus on perceived censorship, Carr has signaled intentions to roll back diversity initiatives within the FCC. This move could reduce the agency’s emphasis on fostering representation in media, potentially affecting content creation and distribution across various demographics.
As Disney strives to promote diverse programming, any regulatory restrictions or changes could complicate its efforts, especially in a politically charged environment.
With Carr’s appointment, Disney could face considerable regulatory hurdles. The potential for fines, licensing challenges, or even punitive measures on ABC is heightened, particularly if the network continues to provide adverse coverage of the administration. Such threats could reverberate through Disney’s broader corporate strategy, affecting profitability and stakeholder confidence.
Do you think Disney has reason to be concerned when Donald Trump takes office in 2025? Could they become a target of his anger and retaliation? Share your thoughts in the comments!
