Trump Targets Comcast CEO Brian Roberts As MSNBC Plans New Lineup

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Currently, there are many shifting parts within Comcast, and one major variable is the former host of NBC’s The Apprentice, Donald Trump.

In response to NBCUniversal’s plans to split off several of its cable networks, including MSNBC, into a new, unnamed holding company (referred to as “SpinCo”), the President has increased his criticisms against the company. This comes shortly after the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission also took aim at Comcast.

On his social media account, Trump criticized Comcast and its CEO Brian Roberts, stating: “This biased organization is merely a dishonest wing of the Democratic Party, operating illegally. They should be heavily penalized for the harm they’ve inflicted on our nation.

Trump’s post on Truth Social, reflecting his ongoing commentary on personnel changes in cable news, appears to be a jab at MSNBC’s decision to cancel Joy Reid’s show due to the incoming president Rebecca Kutler’s planned adjustments to the channel’s lineup. It is rumored that a panel show featuring Symone Sanders, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez will replace Reid’s timeslot as part of these changes.

Should the deal finalize by the end of this year, additional NBCU brands joining SpinCo will include CNBC, USA Network, Oxygen, E!, Syfy, and the Golf Channel. This company, spearheaded by seasoned NBCU executive Mark Lazarus, highlights that its brands cater to approximately 70 million households and bring in around $7 billion in annual revenue.

For the second time in a few days, the President received a letter about MSNBC. This isn’t a unique message for him, but it arrives at an interesting time for the cable network. Currently undergoing a split from Comcast to become SpinCo, MSNBC will shift from being part of a large telecom and media conglomerate to a smaller company. This new entity is also considering adjustments to its editorial approach.

Recently, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Brendan Carr, penned a letter to Comcast and NBCUniversal on February 11th, initiating an investigation into their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. In his letter, Carr expressed worry that these companies might be fostering biased forms of DEI in violation of FCC rules. “It appears that promoting DEI is ‘a core value’ for Comcast,” Carr wrote, implying non-compliance with the FCC’s regulations.

Brendan Carr, the head of the FCC, sent a letter to Comcast and NBCUniversal on February 11th, questioning whether their diversity, equity, and inclusion policies break FCC rules. He’s concerned that they might be promoting certain forms of DEI in ways that go against FCC guidelines since Comcast says DEI is important to them.

As a fervent supporter, I found myself compelled to reevaluate my company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in response to President Trump’s executive order “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” issued in January. This directive has sparked a flurry of activity among businesses as we all strive to ensure our compliance.

Carr stated that he focused on Comcast, in part, because their businesses span various industries overseen by the FCC, including cable, high-speed internet, broadcast TV stations, and MVNO wireless services. As a result, he believed that examining Comcast and its NBCUniversal activities would assist the Commission in identifying and addressing harmful discrimination related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across all sectors under their regulation.

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2025-02-24 17:54