The Trump administration is trying to punish the The View — a talk show led by women, for women — simply for talking about politics.
This is not a routine regulatory dispute. It is an attack on free speech, a threat to the free press, and part of a broader effort to silence women’s voices in media and public life.
Trump's FCC is targeting The View — one of the country's most-watched women-led talk shows — in a move that could make it nearly impossible for the program to cover politics and elections. This is not just an attack on a television show, it's an attack on free speech and women's voices.
Tell Congress to stand up for free speech and protect "The View" from political retaliation.
The View is ABC’s long-running daytime talk show featuring an all-women panel discussing current events, politics, culture, and issues affecting women and their families. The program is the most watched daytime show in the nation, is especially popular among women viewers and serves as a major platform for conversations about the issues that impact women’s lives.
The View is currently facing an FCC review led by Trump-appointed Chair Brendan Carr, who has questioned whether the women-led program should continue to qualify for the Equal Time Rule exemption that allows news and interview shows to cover political candidates and elections.
UltraViolet Action is alarmed that if Trump and the FCC succeed, The View could lose its editorial independence, including its ability to decide which political candidates to feature and potentially even which topics to cover.
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is the U.S. government agency in charge of TV, radio, phone, and internet rules. It decides who can own a TV station, what broadcasters are allowed to say, and how the internet and wireless networks are regulated. The agency is currently led by FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who is a longtime ally of President Donald Trump.
TV and radio stations use public airwaves, a limited resource owned by the public. Because of this, the FCC can require stations to follow rules that don’t apply to cable news or streaming services.
Under the Trump administration, the FCC has increasingly been used to pressure and target media outlets and personalities critical of Trump. The agency has scrutinized ABC and its broadcast licenses amid disputes involving Jimmy Kimmel and has pursued actions related to late-night programs and political interviews, including Stephen Colbert’s show.
The FCC, led by Trump-appointee Brendan Carr, is reviewing whether The View should continue to qualify for an exemption from the Equal Time Rule that allows news and interview programs to cover political candidates and elections. Carr, a longtime ally of Donald Trump, has publicly questioned whether The View is a legitimate news program that should retain this status and has spearheaded the agency’s review of the show.
At UltraViolet Action, we believe this FCC review is part of a broader pattern of Trump’s attacks on women in media who have been critical of his administration. We are deeply concerned that political attacks against a women-led program for discussing politics would discourage free speech and undermine the ability of women-focused media to cover elections, interview candidates, and discuss the issues that matter most to their audiences.
The Equal Time Rule generally requires TV and radio stations to give equal airtime to all political candidates running for the same seat. More than 20 years ago, the FCC itself gave The View a bona fide news exemption to the Equal Time Rule, allowing it to interview candidates and discuss elections. Overturning that exemption would make it nearly impossible for The View and programs like it to cover politics and inform the public.
UltraViolet Action believes that the FCC’s investigation of The View and attempts to delegitimize it are not regulatory disputes. They are part of a shutdown strategy, an attempt to silence women who publicly disagree with the Trump administration.
The View is the most-watched daytime talk show in the country and reaches millions of women viewers. If Trump’s FCC weakens the longstanding protections that allow shows like The View to discuss politics and interview candidates, women across America will lose access to an important source of information about the issues that affect their daily lives.
Trump has a long history of criticizing and attacking women in media who speak out against him, often using insults such as “piggy,” “corrupt,” and “stupid.” Efforts to target a women-led program like The View therefore raise serious concerns about whose voices are being silenced and whose perspectives are being pushed out of the public conversation.
This campaign is bigger than one television show. If Trump’s FCC can weaponize its authority against The View, it would open the door to targeting other programs and public figures that are critical of his administration.
UltraViolet Action is fighting back because we see this attack as part of a broader pattern of the Trump administration’s sexist and misogynistic attacks on women, especially women in the media and public life.
The challenges women face today — including reproductive rights, control over their own bodies, financial security, and the rising cost of living — are too important to be ignored. Women deserve access to media that covers these issues openly, and they should be able to take part in public conversations without political pressure or interference.
You can sign UltraViolet Action’s petition to save The View by urging on Congress to defend free speech, protect independent media, and oppose the FCC’s efforts to limit The View’s ability to discuss elections, interview candidates, and cover political issues.
By speaking out now, you can help protect women’s voices and the public’s right to access information without political interference.
UltraViolet is a community working together to empower women, expand our rights, and fight sexism wherever it exists. High-frequency feminism – we’re working together to make that happen. Sounds good? Great! Because UltraViolet is powered by YOU. Join us today!
We’re launching a nationwide effort to hold the powerful people connected to Jeffrey Epstein’s network of abuse accountable. From rapid-response campaigns to high-visibility public actions, we’re making sure the 1,000+ survivors’ calls for justice are heard — not ignored. Give today to help keep the pressure on.
