FCC chair warns media not to run the "fake polls" Trump keeps complaining about

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Summary

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warned broadcasters against airing polls he called "fake," echoing President Trump's complaints about news coverage, while critics note outlets have already reported context on exposed polling hoaxes.

<p>Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr today warned broadcasters about airing "fake polls," amplifying one of the many complaints that President Trump has regularly made about the news media.</p> <p>Carr's <a href="https://x.com/brendancarrfcc/status/2112913475705934326">post on X</a> said, "Many journalists and broadcasters have been amplifying or airing these Polls without regard to basic journalistic ethics and without informing the public that those Polls lack a scientific, accurate, or even real basis... Broadcasters are advised to avoid engaging in News Distortions or running Broadcast Hoaxes by airing Polls that would violate their regulatory obligations."</p> <p>Carr urged broadcasters to "provide their viewers with additional context and information about Polls they have covered." In fact, one small polling outfit was exposed as a hoax this week, and a similar incident occurred in August. News outlets have reported on these hoaxes, providing the very "context" that Carr said is needed.</p><p><a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/10/fcc-chair-warns-media-not-to-run-the-fake-polls-trump-keeps-complaining-about/">Read full article</a></p> <p><a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/10/fcc-chair-warns-media-not-to-run-the-fake-polls-trump-keeps-complaining-about/#comments">Comments</a></p>
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