Trump throws assist behind Nexstar-Tegna broadcast deal he as soon as opposed

President Trump reversed course on Saturday and appeared to endorse Nexstar Media Group’s $6.2 billion buy of its rival Tegna.

In a publish on Fact Social, the president mentioned “we’d like extra competitors in opposition to THE ENEMY, the Faux Information Nationwide TV Networks,” and that “good offers” like Nexstar’s buy of Tegna will “assist knock out the Faux Information as a result of there will likely be extra competitors.”

“These which might be opposed do not absolutely perceive how good the idea of this Deal is for them, however they’ll sooner or later. GET THAT DEAL DONE!” he wrote.

Nexstar’s acquisition of Tegna, which was introduced in August, requires regulatory approval. The deal would deliver collectively two firms with important holdings in native broadcast media, increasing Nexstar’s attain within the U.S. tv and native information panorama. Nexstar oversees greater than 200 owned and associate stations in 116 markets nationwide right this moment and likewise runs networks like The CW and NewsNation. Tegna owns 64 information stations throughout 51 markets.

If authorized by Tegna shareholders, the deal is anticipated to shut within the second half of 2026.

In November, Mr. Trump criticized the acquisition. “If this may additionally enable the Radical Left Networks to ‘enlarge,’ I might not be comfortable,” he wrote then.

However the firms function independently of the big broadcast networks. In September, Nexstar, together with the right-leaning Sinclair Broadcast Group, suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC late-night speak present for a couple of week after Kimmel’s feedback on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The deal has occurred because the Federal Communications Fee is in search of to reform guidelines that restrict native TV station possession. Some courtroom choices have additionally struck down rules that restricted the variety of high TV stations in a single market that one firm might personal.

Nexstar has sought to painting the deal as per the Trump administration’s deregulatory strikes.

“The initiatives being pursued by the Trump administration supply native broadcasters the chance to develop attain, stage the enjoying discipline, and compete extra successfully with the Massive Tech and legacy Massive Media firms which have unchecked attain and huge monetary assets,” Nexstar’s CEO, Perry Sook, mentioned when asserting the deal.

The information of the acquisition got here as extra Individuals shift from cable — in what’s referred to as “cord-cutting” — to streaming. In accordance with a July 2025 Gallup ballot of round 10,000 U.S. adults, 83% mentioned they watch streaming companies, whereas 36% mentioned they at present subscribe to cable or satellite tv for pc TV at house.