One result of a supersized Nexstar could be more episodes like last year’s standoff over Kimmel, which flared after the ABC host suggested in his monologue that Kirk’s alleged killer had been a member of the “MAGA gang.” (Instead, officials in Utah, where the killing occurred, suggested that the suspect espoused “leftist ideology.”) Carr leaped into the fray, telling a conservative podcaster that Kimmel’s remarks could violate the FCC’s rarely enforced rules against news “distortion,” putting ABC’s affiliate stations at risk of fines and loss of their broadcasting licenses. In contrast, Carr said, “Americans largely hold positive views of their local media outlets, including local broadcasters.” Carr’s push against national programming echoes Trump’s attacks on what the president views as “fake news,” and accusations that some TV hosts suffer from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” The FCC chief has separately opened investigations into or threatened a range of media companies including NBC, CBS, ABC and public broadcasters like NPR and PBS for a mix of alleged offenses, including running afoul of “equal time” rules for interviewing political candidates. “And that is just not consistent with the First Amendment.” The conservative-leaning group Americans for Tax Reform warned Carr in December against interfering with how local stations handle national programming — a scenario it said is at odds with Trump’s deregulatory agenda.