In reversal, Trump backs Nexstar’s proposed acquisition of Tegna – Imperial Wire

President Donald Trump on Saturday endorsed Nexstar Media‘s proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna, simply months after criticizing the deal.

“We want extra competitors in opposition to THE ENEMY, the Pretend Information Nationwide TV Networks,” Trump wrote in a Fact Social submit. “Letting Good Offers get carried out like Nexstar – Tegna will assist knock out the Pretend Information as a result of there might be extra competitors, and at a better and extra refined stage. These which might be opposed do not totally perceive how good the idea of this Deal is for them, however they’ll sooner or later. GET THAT DEAL DONE!”

Below the settlement, Nexstar, which owns or companions with over 200 stations, would add Tegna’s 64 stations — protecting roughly 80% of the nation. The deal, introduced in August 2025, was anticipated to shut within the second half of 2026.

Trump’s backing of the Nexstar-Tegna deal marks an abrupt turnaround. In a Fact Social submit in November, Trump railed in opposition to the Nexstar-Tegna deal and the potential for extra trade consolidation.

“If this may additionally enable the Radical Left Networks to ‘enlarge,’ I’d not be glad,” Trump wrote. “ABC & NBC, particularly, are a catastrophe – A VIRTUAL ARM OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY. They need to be seen as an unlawful marketing campaign to the Radical Left. NO EXPANSION OF THE FAKE NEWS NETWORKS. If something, make them SMALLER!”

Nexstar, Tegna and the White Home didn’t instantly reply to a CNBC request for remark.

The proposed Nexstar-Tegna deal is a part of a string of current media consolidation efforts as cord-cutting threatens the trade.

“We imagine that broadcast information is crucial to this nation and a free democracy, impartial native information, and that broadcast TV is principally the final bastion of native information on the native stage, and our aim is to turn out to be a much bigger firm and hopefully have the ability to compete on a stage taking part in subject with Huge Tech that’s pervasive in all facets of media,” Nexstar CEO Perry Sook informed CNBC after the deal announcement.

At present, the Federal Communications Fee prohibits an organization from proudly owning broadcast stations that attain greater than 39% of U.S. households to foster competitors. For Nexstar’s deal to undergo, the FCC must carry that rule.

“We’re targeted on attaining deregulation, and we proceed to advocate for the elimination of the antiquated constraints on native tv possession as the perfect resolution to stage the aggressive taking part in subject for all media,” Sook mentioned in a November launch when requesting approval for the Tegna deal.

In September, Nexstar was the primary media firm to preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Dwell!” after the late-night discuss present’s host made feedback concerning the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.