Trump Floats Renaming Atlantic Ocean and Other Geographic Features
Trump said Google declined his request to rename the Atlantic Ocean on Maps, and he would probably drop the idea.
Event / Politics
Series of Trump administration policy developments including presidential clemency decisions and media access regulations with constitutional implications.
2026-09-11 to 2026-10-26 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 11 Sept, 00:57 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
On September 9, 2026, Jimmy Kimmel announced during his monologue that his scheduled interview with James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for the 2026 U.S. Senate election in Texas, will be posted on YouTube instead of airing on ABC television. Kimmel stated the decision was made out of consideration for ABC affiliates, particularly in Texas.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! was briefly suspended by Disney (which owns ABC) in September 2025 following criticism from the political right and pressure from the Trump administration, specifically FCC chairman Brendan Carr, after Kimmel made comments about the killing of conservative pundit Charlie Kirk.
In February 2026, Stephen Colbert announced that CBS lawyers would not permit him to broadcast his interview with James Talarico on The Late Show. The interview was instead aired in full on The Late Show's YouTube channel.
Jimmy Kimmel alleged that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), led by Chair Brendan Carr under the Trump administration, has threatened him, his show, ABC network, its affiliates, and local stations over editorial decisions and guest bookings. Kimmel stated the FCC invoked an 'equal time' rule requiring late-night shows to follow specific guidelines for political candidate interviews.
Disney and ABC filed a lawsuit against the FCC alleging that the Trump administration has waged a retaliatory campaign against ABC for its programming. The lawsuit argues that the FCC ordered ABC-owned stations to submit early renewal applications in April 2026, even though licenses were not scheduled for renewal until 2028 or later. The companies claim this action was taken because the administration disapproves of ABC's broadcasts.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr posted on X that broadcasters such as ABC, CBS, and NBC are obligated to operate in the public interest. Carr emphasized that broadcasters have made a deal with the public—in exchange for free access to valuable public airwaves, they agreed to meet public interest obligations. Carr noted this obligation distinguishes broadcasters from cable channels, podcasts, and newspapers.
Late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel announced on Wednesday that his interview with Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico would not air on ABC television. Instead, the interview will be released on the Jimmy Kimmel Live YouTube channel.
The FCC ordered early renewal reviews of ABC-owned stations, with the agency subsequently launching license reviews and an investigation of ABC's The View program.
Jimmy Kimmel stated that the Trump administration's FCC has threatened him, his show, ABC network, and local ABC affiliates based on editorial decisions and guest bookings. Kimmel said he made the decision to move the interview to YouTube out of consideration for ABC affiliates, particularly in Texas.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr sent notices to broadcast television stations in January warning that the equal-time rule applies to talk shows with partisan purposes. The equal-time rule requires broadcasters to provide equivalent access to political candidates, though an exemption exists for bona fide news programs.
Trump said Google declined his request to rename the Atlantic Ocean on Maps, and he would probably drop the idea.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Washington for official state visit.
Federal judge suspends 14-day White House media ban pending further legal proceedings on First Amendment claims.
Trump grants clemency to Navy veteran Patrick Adamiak convicted on federal firearms charges after congressional request.
Trump administration takes direct control of daily press pool assignments from journalists' association.
Television networks boycott press pool coverage in solidarity with CNN over continued White House access restrictions.
Trump administration blocks CNN from state dinner coverage, escalating media access restrictions beyond earlier credential revocations.
Court order restored press credentials, but White House maintained CNN exclusions through alternative mechanisms.
Trump scheduled for college football appearance during active media access disputes.
White House video pool resumes operations during Chinese President Xi's diplomatic visit to the National Archives.
Federal judge blocks White House press ban, ruling it likely violates First Amendment rights.
White House extends media exclusions to traveling press pools, building on existing credential revocations.