• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, 8 hours ago

An ABC reporter recently asked President Trump a question about Jeffrey Epstein. And Trump give a natural, calm response:

ABC’s broadcast license perhaps should be revoked, he said.

Hmmm... Do FCC rules say -- specifically -- that asking a question about a convicted sex offender violates a broadcast license?

I can hear you now: “Oh, c’mon, TV Watch. That’s just Trump doing his thing! Grabbing the headlines, using TV as a marketing tool for a perceived threat.”

But there can be real consequences to back that up. Media executives will tell you that.

ABC already paid the Trump Administration $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit by Trump (concerning George Stephanopoulos). Still, analysts believe had it gone to trial, ABC was in a strong position to win.

Still, are  we sensing another iffy lawsuit is on the way? Part of this type of TV marketing/PR campaign. Trump continues to lean on unpaid “earned” media with this edgy content -- speaking in industry parlance -- to seed his messaging.

Guess some of the political electorate likes that image, dressing down humble modern U.S. reporters, who have asked all kinds of questions for decades.

The profile and image at times now seem to be at cross purposes -- an angry and of late, subdued President who did concede to releasing the Epstein files. All this makes good theater and good TV content.

Holding people in power accountable continues to be the mantra for journalists. At times the President seems confused over this and conflict ensues. Headlines then roar and amplify the message. His supporters love it.

From the media perspective, ABC would have much more to lose this time around if his threats go somewhere. Losing ABC TV station licenses would mean a hit in the billions of dollars -- advertising and carriage fees.

And what does Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr say about all this? Nothing yet.

The drama grows. TV news program viewing climbs.

But will news-focused brands continue to be interested?

Sitting on the edge of your seat for the next reporter-President exchange?

A nice TV ad for mental wellness company. Calm could follow. Breathe.