FCC Nexstar Tegna Merger

🔴 Abuse of Power · Mar 19, 2026

Summary

Trump-appointed FCC Chairman Brendan Carr approved Nexstar’s $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna by waiving the rule limiting any broadcaster from reaching more than 39% of U.S. households. The combined entity would reach 60-80% of American households across 265 stations. Trump had publicly backed the deal to ‘knock out the Fake News.’ Eight state AGs sued the same day; a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction. Rep. Matsui stated: ‘Now the same companies that folded under [Carr’s] pressure are being rewarded with a multi-billion-dollar merger. That’s not coincidence. That’s government pressure.‘