GOP senator seeks FCC probe of ABC News over Trump-Anduril reporting
A Republican senator called for a federal investigation into ABC News after the network corrected a report that mischaracterized an investment in Anduril, citing concerns about Ohio jobs tied to the company's new factory.
What happened
Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio asked the Federal Communications Commission to investigate ABC News after the network deleted and revised an article about Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump's business dealings. The original Wednesday report claimed companies connected to the president's sons had secured billions in government contracts, and specifically stated that venture capital firm 1789 Capital had acquired a major stake in Anduril through a $2.5 billion investment. ABC News corrected the reporting on Friday, clarifying that $2.5 billion was Anduril's overall fundraising round, not 1789 Capital's investment, which was approximately $50 million. The updated version also noted that Trump Jr. does not sit on the firm's investment committee. Moreno argued the errors could damage confidence in journalism and harm Anduril's operations in his state, where the company is building its Arsenal-1 manufacturing facility with plans to invest nearly $1 billion and create over 4,000 jobs.
Background
Anduril Industries is a U.S. defense contractor founded in 2017 that makes autonomous systems and software for the military. In January 2025, the company announced plans to build Arsenal-1, a large manufacturing facility near Columbus, Ohio, as part of its expansion into production of complex defense equipment. The facility is a significant economic project for the state. 1789 Capital is a venture capital firm where Donald Trump Jr. serves as a partner.
What to watch next
The FCC has not yet responded to the investigation request. Disney and the FCC are already engaged in a legal dispute over early review of ABC-owned station licenses, which could inform how the agency handles Moreno's complaint.
Sources
- Original report: GOP senator calls for FCC probe of ABC News over Trump sons-Anduril 'political hit job' (Fox News, Oct 11, 2026) Mainstream media
Written by Anduril News with AI assistance from the original report and other coverage, in plain English. It can contain mistakes; check the original for anything important. How we write these.
