• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, July 20, 2026

The marketing around a President takes all kinds of effort.

Apparently, President Trump believes not only that everyone needs to listen, but that all media outlets -- especially over-the-air ones -- need to comply -- particularly with a full and complete airing of “live” content.

Well, that is really a choice. Editorial judgment comes into play.

Is the content timely, fact-based, and newsworthy?

Trump believes ABC and NBC should lose their broadcast licenses because they did not want to air his speech live.

Still, both ABC and NBC streamed the speech live on their digital news platforms (ABC News Live and NBC News NOW), while the ABC and NBC TV stations aired coverage afterward, including clips, summaries and reporting on the speech.

Why did he get less coverage? The speech focused partly on old claims that the 2020 election was an issue -- claims that have been repeatedly and roundly debunked in the courts, and from U.S. election officials, including those in the first Trump Administration.

First Amendment considerations protect speech. Every media outlet is allowed to make choices. 

CNN was a bit more blunt. It chose not to carry the address live at all, citing the president's history of making unproven or false statements about past elections.

For many that means journalism in the U.S. continues to thrive -- and the marketers who support it. TV news-focused brands still supports all kinds of news content.

Perhaps Trump should buy some TV time to boost those clips, off-air summaries and analysis -- as part of a broader marketing plan.

Still, the FCC is already examining ABC Television Networks with a focus on its licenses and whether the network’s morning talk show “The View” is a "news interview program." Among other content, the show featured the appearance of a Democratic Senator candidate.

The problem is, the FCC already granted “The View” an exemption in 2002.

Looking deeper, since the start of this year, ABC’s “The View” has pulled in $57.1 million in advertising revenue, according to estimates from iSpot.tv.

The highest TV ad-spending brands over that period are CarShield, Zepbound, Austedo, Colonial Penn, and Rexulti.

This could affect media plans that support ABC and NBC news, talk, and other related TV programs.

Another consideration is that Trump -- who is expanding a President's ability to make his own controversial investments in cryptocurrencies and other areas -- should consider buying some TV time, as part of more holistic marketing plan.