Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, called for an FCC investigation into ABC News after the network deleted and substantially revised a report involving President Donald Trump’s sons and defense contractor Anduril Industries. (Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-OH, called on the Federal Communications Commission on Saturday to launch a formal investigation into ABC News after the network deleted and substantially revised a report involving President Donald Trump’s sons and defense contractor Anduril Industries, accusing the Disney-owned network of publishing false information that could damage a major investment in his home state.
In a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, Moreno demanded accountability for the network’s report and questioned whether ABC News violated its obligations as a broadcaster.
“Thus, I urge the Commission to open a formal investigation into ABC News’s political hit job. We must know who signed off on the publication of this false story, who may have asked to profit from the attack, and whether ABC News’s conduct violated its obligations as a licensee,” Moreno said.
Digital reached out to Moreno’s office for additional comment but a spokesperson for the senator declined to elaborate on the allegations.
ABC News acknowledged factual errors involving company investments, government contracts and event chronologies after removing its original report about Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump’s business dealings. (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto)
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The senator’s request followed ABC News’ decision to remove a report examining investments tied to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. The original Wednesday article claimed companies connected to the president’s sons had secured billions in government contracts, including through venture capital firm 1789 Capital.
Moreno specifically challenged the original report’s characterization of Anduril’s financing, arguing that the network had misrepresented the company’s investment activity and unfairly associated the Trump family with federal contracting decisions.
“ABC News appears under broadcast licenses issued by the FCC. These licenses are a privilege, not a right. They require service of the public interest,” he said.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr faced calls from Sen. Bernie Moreno to investigate ABC News over its reporting on the Trump family’s business interests and the network’s handling of subsequent corrections. (Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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The controversy centered on ABC News’ original claim that 1789 Capital, where Trump Jr. serves as a partner, acquired a major strike in Anduril through a $2.5 billion investment. The figure instead represented Anduril’s broader fundraising round, while 1789 Capital’s investment was approximately $50 million.
ABC News republished a substantially revised article Friday, acknowledging errors involving investments, government contracts and the chronology of events. The updated version also clarified that Trump Jr. does not serve on the firm’s investment decision-making committee. The report was republished Friday with a new headline, revised byline and an editor’s note acknowledging factual errors involving company investments, government contracts and the chronology of events.
Moreno also emphasized the economic stakes for Ohio, where Anduril is developing its Arsenal-1 manufacturing facility. The company has announced plans to invest nearly $1 billion in the project, which is expected to create more than 4,000 jobs.
Defense contractor Anduril Industries became the focus of disputed ABC News reporting involving 1789 Capital, where Donald Trump Jr. serves as a partner, as Sen. Bernie Moreno warned of potential consequences for thousands of Ohio jobs. (Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
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In his letter, Moreno accused ABC News of undermining public confidence in journalism while potentially harming a major employer in the state.
“The American people, and the workers in Ohio whose jobs were put at risk by this reporting, deserve answers and accountability,” Moreno said.
The investigation request comes amid an ongoing legal dispute between Disney and the FCC over the commission’s early review of ABC-owned television station licenses. Disney argued that the review threatens constitutionally protected editorial independence, while the FCC defended its actions as regulatory oversight.
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Digital reached out to the FCC but did not immediately receive a response.
A network source for ABC News told Digital, “We always review every situation in a thorough and thoughtful manner and will not be providing further comment at this time.”
