Trump Invokes FCC, Pai in Tweeted Complaints About NBC Reporter
President Donald Trump tweeted complaints about Comcast and NBC reporter Chuck Todd at the FCC and Chairman Ajit Pai several times Sunday and Monday, appearing to be urging the agency to take action against Todd or his employers. “He should…
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be FIRED by Concast [sic]. If done by a Republican, would be ‘prosecuted,’” Trump said in one tweet in which he tagged Pai. The tweets appeared to be a response to an NBC segment about Attorney General William Barr. “Sleepy Eyes Chuck Todd should be FIRED by ‘Concast’ (NBC) for this fraud. He knew exactly what he was doing.” said the tweet, before including the twitter handles of Pai and the FCC itself, along with: “Public Airwaves = Fake News!.” Trump has invoked the FCC in tweets against media companies in the past (see 1710110075) but no FCC action apparently has resulted. At the time, Pai said the agency doesn’t have the authority to revoke a broadcaster’s license over the content of a newscast (see 1809040051). “This is not how our rules work,” tweeted Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. “The FCC doesn't sanction stations for what journalists say.” The commission didn't comment.