Trump Calls Out Al Sharpton’s ‘Lowest Rated’ Show and Demands Action from the FCC
Conservatives have long accused the mainstream media of prioritizing progressive agendas over truthful reporting. President Donald J. Trump (Republican) has again put the spotlight on media bias, igniting a firestorm after mocking Al Sharpton (Democrat)’s MSNBC show, “PoliticsNation,” and publicly urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to scrutinize the network’s license. His energetic post drew attention for featuring an infamous, unflattering photo of Sharpton from the late 1980s—a younger, heavier Sharpton in a red shirt, suspenders, and a hefty gold medallion. Trump did not hold back in criticizing NBC’s leadership, openly targeting CEO Brian Roberts (Democrat) for, as he put it, being “afraid” to cancel the program in the name of “political correctness.”
Trump’s Truth Social post, which instantly became the talk of conservative circles, charged NBC and its affiliates with promoting Democrat-friendly propaganda while shunning balanced discussion. Calling out not only NBC, but also ABC—infamously dubbed “ABC Fake News” by the president—Trump slammed broadcast giants for pushing content that is, in his words, “about the same thing, 97% negative to Republicans”. This claim comes amid increasing criticism over the way major news corporations report on conservative initiatives and President Trump’s administration, particularly following his 2024 reelection victory.
Trump’s demands come at a pivotal time for NBC’s cable properties. Comcast is planning to spin off MSNBC, CNBC, and others into a new publicly traded company, Versant, in a move expected to be completed by the end of 2025. According to a recent report, the rebranding will see MSNBC transformed into “MS NOW,” separating its future even further from its longtime parent company.
President Trump didn’t mince words in his critique: “When will NBC have the courage to get rid of Al Sharpton and his lowest rated show? Brian Roberts is too afraid! The FCC needs to look into this.”
Sharpton has been a controversial figure on the airwaves for years, with his commentary repeatedly landing him at the epicenter of media firestorms. Trump’s call for FCC involvement challenges not only the merit of Sharpton’s continued presence on television but also asks tough questions about regulatory oversight of politically skewed media outlets.
As Trump’s criticism swelled, discussion erupted over whether the FCC should step in, as well as the role of corporate interests and “politically correct” culture influencing programming decisions. No stranger to controversy himself, Sharpton’s media persona stems in part from his notorious past, including involvement in the Tawana Brawley hoax—an episode Trump quickly referenced to highlight Sharpton’s questionable history.
For the millions who turned out to vote for Trump’s America First agenda, seeing him call out establishment media—and putting the FCC on notice—offers hope for a future where conservative voices finally get a fair shake.
Mainstream Media Scrutiny: Trump Spotlights Political Correctness and Network Hypocrisy
The conservative base’s frustration with big media has reached a boiling point, and Trump’s latest barrage only fans those flames. He directly named FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, publicly requesting a regulatory review of NBC’s broadcast license in light of persistent allegations of political bias and partisan news coverage.
Sharpton’s “PoliticsNation” ranks among the lowest-rated news programs, a fact repeatedly highlighted by conservative analysts. Despite its continued poor performance, Comcast (which owns NBCUniversal and, by extension, MSNBC) has shown no signs of removing Sharpton from the lineup. Trump didn’t hesitate to accuse corporate leadership of lacking the backbone to make merit-based programming decisions, instead bowing to woke ideology and the fear of appearing politically incorrect.
Moreover, this is all happening at a time when Comcast is poised to spin off some of its most recognizable cable outlets into the standalone Versant company. The rebranding is set to take full effect by the close of 2025, adding more uncertainty to MSNBC’s editorial future, but drawing skepticism among conservatives who doubt a mere name change will reform the network’s notorious partisan slant.
“NBC and ABC are, about the same thing, 97% negative to Republicans!” Trump wrote—bluntly spotlighting just how widespread he sees anti-conservative bias among the dominant news outlets.
Media watchdog groups and FCC oversight have long failed, in the eyes of the right, to enforce any kind of balance or transparency when it comes to left-leaning network coverage. Trump’s demand for oversight echoes broad conservative calls for a return to “fairness” in media licensing and programming. His charge to Brendan Carr and the FCC—coming from the most pro-media-freedom president in generations—isn’t just symbolic. It’s a shot across the bow for networks that continue to overlook or smear the conservative perspective while propping up Democratic talking heads and programs like Sharpton’s, regardless of poor ratings.
Adding fuel to the fire is the long memory conservative media has for Sharpton’s baggage, including the still-infamous 1987 Tawana Brawley affair, a hoax that irreparably harmed the reputations of innocent men. By sharing a vintage image of Sharpton from 1988, wearing garish attire, Trump sent an unmistakable message: this is not a figure worthy of moral leadership or national airtime. Instead, Trump’s move pulls the curtain back on the networks’ misplaced priorities and deep-rooted aversion to pulling even the lowest-performing liberal voices off the airwaves.
The developments have made waves in conservative and independent news, sparking a broader debate over the true motivations behind network programming and the lack of accountability when those decisions go against public trust or good sense. Grassroots conservatives see Trump’s actions as more than media management—they see a critical stand for integrity in American broadcasting.
The Sharpton Controversy: Media Bias, Regulatory Laxity, and Conservative Pushback
To understand the latest eruption over Sharpton’s show, it’s crucial to recall his lengthy record—marked by controversy, activism, and repeated claims of bias. As media landscapes have grown more fractured and polarized, viewers have come to expect political talking points instead of real news, a trend that accelerated under the Obama and Biden administrations but met fierce resistance during Trump’s terms in office.
Trump’s no-nonsense approach—willing to name names and share unfiltered opinions on social media—resonates deeply with the conservative base. He pointed not just at Sharpton’s credentials, but at NBC and ABC’s relentless anti-GOP stance, citing, “97% negative to Republicans.” According to the Washington Examiner, Trump’s Truth Social blitz forced the country’s top regulators and broadcast executives to confront hard questions about bias and broadcasting standards.
“NBCUniversal giving Al Sharpton one of the lowest-rated shows in TV history while refusing to pull the plug due to political correctness—that tells you all you need to know about media priorities in America today.”
The broader context isn’t lost on the average conservative voter. Sharpton’s 1987 role in the Tawana Brawley case—which Trump bluntly referenced—remains a sore spot for anyone concerned with truth in reporting and accountability in public discourse. For Trump voters and millions more seeking honest debate and fair coverage, the current controversy is bigger than Sharpton or NBC. It’s about ending the monopoly of left-wing media and restoring fairness to America’s airwaves.
The spinoff of MSNBC and related properties into Versant marks a pivotal restructuring moment, but critics warn that cosmetic corporate changes are unlikely to break long-standing traditions of liberal bias and anti-conservative programming. Trump’s pressure on the FCC to “look into” NBC and related licenses may well be the opening salvo in a renewed movement to demand real, meaningful regulation that favors honest, balanced journalism over political messaging and anti-conservative hype.
Those who’ve followed Trump’s presidency—particularly his victorious return to office in 2024—know that media reform is now, more than ever, a priority of the America First movement. By refusing to back down and confronting bias head-on, Trump is energizing a base of voters who want real transparency and an end to the stranglehold establishment networks have enjoyed over the national conversation.
With NBCUniversal’s highly-anticipated transition to Versant on the horizon and the FCC in the crosshairs, the stage is set for a new era of media accountability—one that will have conservatives watching closely, eager to see which side of history legacy networks choose to stand on.