WASHINGTON — Eric Trump is expressing his support for a push from Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno to launch a federal investigation into ABC News following a controversial report about his family’s financial ties to Anduril Industries, a defense contractor. The investigation was confirmed by Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, following Moreno’s formal request that questioned the journalistic integrity of the network.
In a message posted on social media, Eric Trump thanked Senator Moreno for his efforts. He criticized ABC News, asserting that the original article was misleading and suggesting that the network should face accountability for publishing a damaging report without a subsequent explanation or apology. “Who approved it? Has the author been fired?” he asked, echoing the sentiments of those who feel that media should uphold higher standards of accuracy.
Senator Moreno’s letter to Carr, sent on Oct. 10, labeled the report a “political hit job.” He raised several key questions regarding the approval processes within the network, potential motivations behind the report, and whether ABC News may have violated its license obligations as a broadcast entity. Moreno characterized the piece as “false, inflammatory, and deliberately malicious,” underscoring the serious ramifications of the reporting on both the Trump family and the local economy in Ohio.
The initial article, published on Oct. 7, suggested that investments by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump had secured significant government contracts worth billions for defense firms, including Anduril Industries. The report noted a partnership between 1789 Capital, a firm linked to Donald Trump Jr., and Anduril, suggesting a substantial financial impact from defense contracts awarded since Donald Trump took office.
However, the report was retracted within 24 hours without public clarification. Following its removal, the article redirected users to an error page, which raised eyebrows when California Gov. Gavin Newsom shared it publicly, prompting further scrutiny from Trump family members. In response, Donald Trump Jr. claimed that the report was taken down because it was inaccurate.
Just days after the initial publication, ABC News issued a heavily revised version of the article, altering the headline and providing an editor’s note to address inaccuracies in the reporting. The adjustment clarified Trump Jr.’s financial stake in Anduril and emphasized that his influence in investment decisions at 1789 Capital was minimal. This revision reflected the network’s acknowledgment of errors concerning the context and details of the financial undertakings reported.
Palmer Luckey, co-founder of Anduril, also weighed in, asserting that Trump Jr.’s investment represented only a tiny fraction of the company’s overall valuation. Communications from spokespeople connected to 1789 Capital indicated that there was confusion in the original reporting about the nature of the investments.
This incident is not the first time the Trump family has clashed with ABC News. In fact, a previous defamation lawsuit was settled in 2024, resulting in the network paying a significant sum to Trump’s presidential library and leading to an on-air statement of regret regarding a prior report.
Tensions between the Trump family and media entities are often contentious, fueled by a sense of skepticism towards journalistic practices. The FCC’s decision to examine ABC News comes amidst broader discussions about the balance of media accountability and the responsibility of networks to report accurately, particularly on politically sensitive subjects.
The outcome of this investigation and its implications for both parties remain to be seen as the discourse around media accountability continues to evolve within the politically charged landscape of contemporary America.