Trump praises Nexstar-Tegna broadcast television deal he once opposed

President Trump Endorses Nexstar-Tegna Media Merger, Reversing Earlier Stance

President Donald Trump has publicly backed Nexstar Media Group’s proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna, signaling a notable shift from his previous skepticism about the deal. In a statement posted to social media on Saturday, Trump framed the merger as beneficial for media competition.

“We need more competition against THE ENEMY, the Fake News National TV Networks,” Trump wrote. “Letting Good Deals get done like Nexstar – Tegna will help knock out the Fake News because there will be more competition. … GET THAT DEAL DONE.”

This endorsement marks a significant reversal from Trump’s position just three months ago. In November, he had expressed concerns about the acquisition, stating, “If this would also allow the Radical Left Networks to ‘enlarge,’ I would not be happy.”

The proposed merger, announced in August, would create one of the nation’s largest local television broadcasting companies. Nexstar currently operates more than 200 owned and partner stations across 116 markets nationwide, along with networks including The CW and NewsNation. Tegna brings 64 news stations in 51 markets to the potential deal.

Media industry analysts note that both companies primarily operate local television stations affiliated with major networks but function independently from the national broadcast networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox that Trump has frequently criticized.

Nexstar has positioned the merger as aligned with the deregulatory approach championed during Trump’s previous administration. When announcing the deal, Nexstar CEO Perry Sook emphasized this connection, stating, “The initiatives being pursued by the Trump administration offer local broadcasters the opportunity to expand reach, level the playing field, and compete more effectively with the Big Tech and legacy Big Media companies that have unchecked reach and vast financial resources.”

The proposed merger comes amid a shifting regulatory landscape for broadcast media. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently considering reforms to rules governing local television station ownership. Several court decisions have already weakened regulations limiting how many top stations in a single market can be owned by one company.

Critics of media consolidation have raised concerns that such mergers reduce the diversity of voices in local news and can lead to decreased competition and higher advertising rates. However, proponents argue that scale is increasingly necessary for traditional broadcasters to compete with digital streaming platforms and social media companies.

Nexstar has demonstrated its willingness to make content decisions that align with conservative viewpoints. In September, both Nexstar and the right-leaning Sinclair Broadcast Group suspended ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for approximately a week following comments Kimmel made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The deal still requires regulatory approval from the FCC and the Department of Justice, which will examine potential antitrust implications. The Biden administration has generally taken a stricter approach to corporate consolidation than previous administrations, though broadcast media faces unique regulatory considerations.

If approved, the combined Nexstar-Tegna entity would significantly reshape the local television landscape across America, potentially influencing how news is delivered to millions of households. The acquisition represents one of the largest media mergers in recent years and reflects the ongoing transformation of the broadcast industry in response to digital disruption and changing consumer habits.

Financial analysts expect regulatory review of the deal to continue through much of 2023, with the potential closing date dependent on government approvals and any required divestitures or conditions.