Despite President Donald Trump’s orders, Comcast is one of several media companies the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is investigating for allegedly promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
According to Reuters, FCC Chair Brendan Carr announced the opening of the investigation into NBC News and its parent company, Comcast, on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2025, citing “substantial evidence” that the companies continue to promote DEI.
Carr noted that Comcast operates across multiple FCC-regulated sectors, including cable, high-speed internet, broadcast television stations, and wireless services.
“The FCC will be taking fresh action to ensure that every entity the FCC regulates complies with the civil rights protections enshrined in the Communications Act… including by shutting down any programs that promote invidious forms of DEI discrimination,” the letter to Comcast CEO Brian Roberts read, per Reuters.
The FCC is also reviewing whether a “60 Minutes” interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris violates rules regarding “news distortion.” While the agency is prohibited by law from censoring or infringing on First Amendment rights, broadcasters cannot intentionally distort news coverage, and the FCC can act on complaints if documented evidence exists, per an FCC Consumer Guide.
Trump appointed Carr to the FCC as a senior Republican in 2017 and tapped him to lead the agency on Nov. 17, 2024, according to NPR. As an independent federal agency, the FCC issues eight-year licenses to individual broadcast stations rather than networks.
In January, Reuters reported that Carr reinstated complaints concerning ABC News’ handling of the pre-election debate between former President Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Additionally, another complaint was reinstated regarding NBC’s decision to feature Vice President Kamala Harris on “Saturday Night Live” ahead of the election.
On Jan. 20, 2025—the first day of his second term—Trump signed an executive order titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” one of many aimed at dismantling DEI programs across the United States.
The order mandates the coordination of terminating all discriminatory programs, including eliminating “illegal” DEI and DEIA mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities within the federal government, regardless of their labeling.
“The Biden Administration forced illegal and immoral discrimination programs, going by the name “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI), into virtually all aspects of the Federal Government, in areas ranging from airline safety to the military,” the order read.
“That ends today,” it added. “Americans deserve a government committed to serving every person with equal dignity and respect and to expending precious taxpayer resources only on making America great.”
Comcast has confirmed receiving an FCC inquiry and intends to cooperate and answer questions.
“For decades, our company has been built on a foundation of integrity and respect for all of our employees and customers,” the company said in a statement, per Reuters.
