President Donald Trump took aim at NBC News in a tweet Tuesday that criticized it for "probably highly unethical conduct" and asked: "Look at their license?
Calling the network "NBC FAKE NEWS," Trump said NBC is "worse than even CNN," a favorite target of his anger with the media.
His tweet said:
"NBC FAKE NEWS, which is under intense scrutiny over their killing the Harvey Weinstein story, is now fumbling around making excuses for their probably highly unethical conduct. I have long criticized NBC and their journalistic standards-worse than even CNN. Look at their license?"
Trump did not elaborate on what he meant with his call for a "license" examination. Network news organizations are not subject the licensing in the U.S.
TV stations, however, are licensed by the FCC, so Trump may be suggesting a review of the individual licenses of network-owned stations. FCC rules require, among other things, that broadcast TV license holders maintain a level of integrity to their overall operation.
Last October, Trump also suggested that NBC should lose its license because he branded "fake news" a report by the news division about the administration's plans to increase the nation's arsenal of nuclear weapons.
Trump's statement that NBC is now "fumbling around making excuses for their probably highly unethical conduct" is linked to the ongoing dispute between NBC News and Ronan Farrow over Farrow's reporting on Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.
NBC News Chairman Andy Lack late Monday sent a lengthy explanation to his staff members on why NBC let Farrow take his story to The New Yorker magazine.
Lack said NBC and Farrow disagreed on whether he had a story ready to air. He said NBC wasn't trying to block his reporting or caving to pressure from Weinstein.
But Farrow said Lack's explanation contained false and misleading statements. He said it was NBC, not him, who urged him to take his story to the New Yorker.
An NBC spokeswoman declined to comment Tuesday.
This report contains material from Reuters and The Associated Press.