President Trump has publicly called for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to penalize CBS's "60 Minutes" for its recent reports on Ukraine and Greenland. He specifically named FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, urging the maximum penalty for what Trump considers "unlawful and illegal behavior." This action is seen as another instance of Trump using government pressure against his critics.
It's important to note that there's no evidence of illegal behavior by CBS. The FCC's power to punish CBS is limited, although the pending merger between Paramount Global (CBS's parent company) and Skydance Media could be affected by delays. CBS maintains it adhered to standard news practices in its reporting and has challenged Trump's claims.
Trump's calls for punishment are part of a larger legal battle. He filed a lawsuit in Texas, claiming deceptive practices, which is viewed by many as a politically motivated attack. Despite CBS providing raw interview footage to support their editing practices, the investigation remains open, fueling speculation about potential settlements.
Experts, such as political scientist Brendan Nyhan, highlight that Trump's actions represent an overt attempt to use state power to punish critical media coverage, raising concerns about press freedom. "60 Minutes" correspondent Lesley Stahl acknowledged these threats during an acceptance speech for a First Amendment Award.