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.
uncertain
that → call → 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.
asserted
News → demand → broadcaster
"Thus, I urge the Commission to open a formal investigation into ABC News's political hit job.
asserted
I → urge → 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.
uncertain
Moreno → know → licensee
Fox News Digital reached out to Moreno's office for additional comment but a spokesperson for the senator declined to elaborate on the allegations.
asserted
spokesperson → reach → allegations
The senator's request followed ABC News' decision to remove a report examining investments tied to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump.
asserted
request → follow → Jr.
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.
asserted
companies → claim → 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.
asserted
network → challenge → decisions
"ABC News appears under broadcast licenses issued by the FCC.
asserted
News → appear → FCC
They require service of the public interest," he said.
asserted
he → require → interest
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.
uncertain
Jr. → center → investment
The figure instead represented Anduril's broader fundraising round, while 1789 Capital's investment was approximately $50 million.
asserted
investment → represent → round
ABC News republished a substantially revised article Friday, acknowledging errors involving investments, government contracts and the chronology of events.
asserted
News → republish → events
The updated version also clarified that Trump Jr. does not serve on the firm's investment decision-making committee.
asserted
Jr. → update → 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.
asserted
report → republish → events
Moreno also emphasized the economic stakes for Ohio, where Anduril is developing its Arsenal-1 manufacturing facility.
asserted
Anduril → emphasize → facility
The company has announced plans to invest nearly $1 billion in the project, which is expected to create more than 4,000 jobs.
asserted
which → announce → jobs
In his letter, Moreno accused ABC News of undermining public confidence in journalism while potentially harming a major employer in the state.
asserted
Moreno → accuse → state
"The American people, and the workers in Ohio whose jobs were put at risk by this reporting, deserve answers and accountability," Moreno said.
asserted
Moreno → put → answers
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.
asserted
request → come → licenses
Disney argued that the review threatens constitutionally protected editorial independence, while the FCC defended its actions as regulatory oversight.
asserted
FCC → argue → oversight
Fox News Digital reached out to the FCC but did not immediately receive a response.
asserted
Digital → reach → response
A network source for ABC News told Fox News Digital, "We always review every situation in a thorough and thoughtful manner and will not be providing further comment at this time."
asserted
We → tell → time
The Aporia
