Trump's FCC probing Comcast, NBC over DEI policies

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is planning to open an investigation into Comcast, the parent company of NBCUniversal, over its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies.

In a letter to Comcast Chair Brian Roberts dated Tuesday, FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the goal of the investigation is to "ensure that your companies are not promoting invidious forms of discrimination in violation of FCC and civil rights laws."

"Following President Trump’s executive actions, we have ended the FCC’s promotion of DEI," Carr wrote in a social media post on Wednesday publicizing the letter. "And the FCC will be taking steps to ensure that every company the FCC regulates complies with the civil rights protections enshrined in the Communications Act and agency rules. We are starting with Comcast for the reasons set forth in my letter."

In his letter, Carr noted that on Comcast's website the company lists DEI as a "core value" of its businesses and has promoted these values across its television and cable arms.

Carr's letter comes as Comcast looks to spin off its vast cable assets by the end of the year, a major endeavor that would lead to sales that need approval from government regulators to go through successfully.

Comcast did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A number of major companies have already significantly scaled back DEI efforts in the wake of President Trump's executive order on the issue, including McDonald’s, Meta, Walmart, Harley-Davidson, John Deere and Lowe’s.

Public broadcaster PBS announced this week it would close its DEI office amid pressure from the Trump administration.

Topics

FCC set to investigate media giant Comcast over diversity commitments and says it could shut down DEI programs elsewhere

Comcast says it ‘will be cooperating with the FCC to answer their questions’
MarketWatch - 23m
Comcast and NBCUniversal receive FCC inquiry on DEI initiatives

The Federal Communications Commission has sent a letter to Comcast inquiring about its DEI practices, a company spokesperson confirmed Wednesday.
CNBC - 5h
FCC Chair Orders Investigation Into Comcast’s DEI Practices

The investigation follows inquiries by the agency into NPR, PBS and CBS News.
The New York Times - 7h
FCC launches effort to 'root out' DEI programs, beginning with Comcast

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is concerned that diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Comcast and NBCUniversal fostered discrimination, which is forbidden under FCC rules and federal laws.
Los Angeles Times - 7h
FCC head seeks investigation of NBCUniversal over DEI efforts

The head of the FCC said he is seeking an investigation of NBCUniversal and its parent company Comcast over the firm's diversity initiatives.
ABC News - 1h
Education Department launches Title IX probes over trans athlete policies

The Department of Education announced on Wednesday it is investigating two state athletic associations that say they will not abide by the Trump administration's Title IX rules that forbid ...
The Hill - 4h
Trump administration sued by religious groups over immigration arrests policy

The lawsuit from more than two dozen Christian and Jewish groups contends that the new policy is spreading fear of raids, thus lowering attendance at worship services.
CBS News - 1d
Transgender, nonbinary people sue Trump administration over passport policy

A new lawsuit accuses the State Department of freezing document changes for transgender or nonbinary people.
ABC News - 4d
Transgender Americans sue over Trump passport policy

Seven transgender or non-binary Americans sued the Trump administration Friday over its new policy preventing people from obtaining passports with sex designations that match their gender ...
The Hill - 5d