Disney Under Investigation by Trump-Appointed FCC Commissioner

Trump’s FCC Commissioner Launches Investigation Into Disney and ABC Over DEI Policies

In a significant move against corporate diversity policies, President Donald Trump’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Brendan Carr announced an investigation into The Walt Disney Company and its ABC television network. The probe will examine whether the company is engaging in “invidious forms of DEI discrimination.”

Carr revealed the investigation in a letter to Disney CEO Robert Iger on Friday. The company responded, stating that it is reviewing the letter and looks forward to addressing the commission’s inquiries.

The move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to scrutinize media organizations and their policies. This week alone, the administration was involved in court hearings over the shutdown of Voice of America and a dispute with The Associated Press regarding the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” as ordered by Trump.

Since being appointed by Trump as the FCC’s leader, Carr has pushed the agency into an activist role, initiating investigations into major media outlets such as ABC, CBS, and NBC News.

“For decades, Disney focused on churning out box office and programming successes,” Carr wrote to Iger. “But then something changed. Disney has now become embroiled in rounds of controversy surrounding its DEI policies.”

While some reports indicate Disney has scaled back certain diversity initiatives, Carr stated that “significant concerns remain.”

Last month, Axios reported that Disney made policy changes, including the elimination of a website that previously highlighted stories from underrepresented communities. Additionally, Disney modified its content warnings for classic films like Dumbo and Peter Pan. The original message, which warned about “negative depictions and/or mistreatment of peoples or cultures,” was softened to read, “this program is presented as originally created and may contain stereotypes or negative depictions.”

Carr’s letter referenced a piece by conservative activist Christopher Rufo, who labeled Disney as “the wokest place on Earth.” He also cited past instances, such as ABC’s 2021 policy requiring at least 50% of characters in TV pilots to be from underrepresented groups. Carr noted that a Disney executive admitted rejecting certain TV pilots for not meeting these inclusion standards.

The investigation aligns with Trump’s broader stance against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across both public and private sectors.

“At my direction, the FCC has already taken action to end its own promotion of DEI,” Carr wrote. “I have been pleased to see that some regulated companies are already taking steps toward rooting out discriminatory DEI policies.”

The outcome of this investigation could have far-reaching consequences for corporate diversity policies, particularly within the entertainment industry. With the FCC already probing multiple media organizations, this latest move signals the administration’s ongoing efforts to reshape the conversation around DEI in corporate America.

As the investigation unfolds, all eyes will be on Disney’s response and how other companies may adjust their own policies in the wake of heightened scrutiny.