The FCC Just Put “The View” on Notice — and Democrats Didn’t Even See It Coming Welcome to the big show—because something major just happened in Washington, and it may spell the beginning of the end for The View. For months on The Trish Regan Show, we’ve said that the clock was ticking for legacy broadcast programs that blur the line between news and partisan activism. After what I heard on Capitol Hill, I can say this plainly: those days are now very limited. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr didn’t just rattle Democrats this week—he exposed how little many of them understand about the basic structure of American media law. And that ignorance may cost ABC dearly. The Cable vs. Network Reality Democrats Keep Ignoring Let’s start with the most important distinction—one Democrats still don’t seem to grasp: Cable is not broadcast. The FCC has no jurisdiction over cable news. None. Zero. Fox News, CNN, MSNBC—those are cable networks. They do not operate under the FCC’s “public interest” standard. But ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox’s broadcast network absolutely do. Why? Because of the Communications Act of 1934, which created the FCC and granted it authority over the public airwaves. Broadcast networks exist because the government licenses them to use federally regulated spectrum. In exchange, they are required to: Serve the public interest Maintain fairness Avoid intentional news distortion Provide value to the communities they serve That’s not opinion. That’s law. The Senate Showdown That Exposed Everything During a heated exchange, a Democratic senator demanded that Chairman Carr investigate Fox News for editing an interview. Carr’s response was devastatingly simple: Fox News is cable. The FCC has no authority there. No public interest standard. No broadcast hoax rule. No FCC enforcement mechanism. The senator was stunned—not because Carr was wrong, but because she didn’t understand the rules at all. That moment mattered, because it highlighted why CBS and ABC are vulnerable in ways cable networks are not. And it’s exactly why The View is suddenly under pressure. Brendan Carr Says the Quiet Part Out Loud Then came the moment that sent shockwaves through legacy media. When asked whether the FCC is an “independent agency,” Carr responded: “The FCC is not independent.” And then something extraordinary happened. The FCC’s website was updated during the hearing itself—removing the word “independent” from its mission statement in real time. Carr made it unmistakably clear: He works for the president. The FCC has an agenda. And that agenda includes enforcing the law as written. This wasn’t a slip. It was a declaration. Why The View Is Now in the Crosshairs Carr has repeatedly raised concerns about programs that claim “news” status while delivering partisan commentary. Under FCC rules, broadcast programs can avoid equal-time requirements only if they qualify as bona fide news. Late-night comedy shows have often been given that exemption. But Carr openly questioned whether programs like The View still qualify. And it’s a fair question. Is The View delivering journalism—or political activism? Is it informing the public—or misleading it? Is it serving the community—or just pushing one ideology? Those questions now have regulatory consequences. ABC Is Nervous — And They Should Be Behind the scenes, ABC executives are reportedly panicked. They never expected an FCC chairman to say what Carr said—out loud and under oath. Add to that: Declining ratings Repeated legal disclaimers read on-air to avoid liability Growing advertiser unease Open White House criticism And suddenly, The View doesn’t look untouchable anymore. When the White House recently called Joy Behar an “irrelevant loser” suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and suggested the show could be pulled, it wasn’t idle rhetoric. It was a warning. Legacy Media’s Bigger Problem: The Numbers Don’t Lie At the same time this media reckoning is unfolding, Democrats are facing another brutal reality: the American public has turned on them. A new Quinnipiac poll shows Democrats in Congress are 55 points underwater, with approval ratings below 20%. Among independents, they’re 61 points underwater—the worst numbers ever recorded. CNN had no choice but to report it. Lower than the Dead Sea. Meanwhile, inflation has fallen to 2.7%, housing costs are easing, food prices are coming down, and markets are rallying. Even CNBC’s Steve Liesman was visibly stunned by how fast the numbers improved. And yet the New York Times still tried to blame tariffs. That tells you everything you need to know. A Media Reset Is Already Underway Broadcasters see the writing on the wall. Skydance, which is seeking to acquire CBS, has already promised the FCC it will address bias, appoint an ombudsman, and restore trust. That’s not coincidence. That’s survival. Stephen Colbert’s show reportedly loses millions annually. Ratings across late-night television are collapsing. The audience is gone—and the regulatory protection is now under review. This isn’t censorship. It’s accountability. And, frankly, it’s market discipline. The Bottom Line Brendan Carr didn’t threaten the media. He reminded them of the rules. For decades, legacy broadcasters hid behind prestige and politics. That shield is gone. The FCC has reminded them that broadcast licenses are privileges, not entitlements. If you’re not serving the public interest— If you’re not telling the truth— If you’re running a partisan circus— Then yes, there may be consequences. And for The View, those consequences may be closer than anyone in Hollywood ever imagined.