In a controversial and potentially game-changing move, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr is set to update Republican lawmakers on the agency’s investigation into George Soros and his growing influence over America’s local radio stations. The update will occur at a private meeting with members of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), a powerful group of 175 House Republicans, during their annual closed-door luncheon.
The focus of the meeting will be Soros’s significant impact on local radio, particularly through his ties to Soros Fund Management, which recently acquired over 200 Audacy radio stations across the nation. This massive acquisition has raised alarms among Republicans, who argue that the deal, facilitated by the Biden-era FCC, could give the billionaire megadonor unprecedented control over the airwaves at a critical time ahead of the November 2024 election.
Carr is expected to brief lawmakers on his concerns over the transaction, which he believes bypassed established procedures for reviewing foreign ownership stakes. “The FCC is not following its normal process for reviewing a transaction,” Carr testified in a previous appearance before the House Oversight Committee. This approval, which grants Soros significant influence over more than 200 radio stations, seems poised to fast-track his ownership in ways that critics argue could circumvent the safeguards meant to protect American media from foreign influence.
The controversy stems from Soros Fund Management’s substantial foreign ownership stake in Audacy, which, according to Carr, should have triggered a more thorough review process. Carr warned that the FCC’s decision to expedite the approval—potentially creating a new shortcut in its review process—raises serious concerns about transparency and fairness. Republican lawmakers, including Rep. James Comer (R-KY) and Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY), have voiced their objections, stating that this deal could solidify Soros’ hold on hundreds of radio stations just ahead of an election that will define the future of the nation.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) also weighed in, sending a letter to then-FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, questioning the legitimacy of the deal and its potential implications for American democracy. Roy expressed concerns over Soros Fund Management’s request to bypass the usual foreign ownership review, which he argued could allow the FCC to expedite approval and enable Soros to seize control of these stations faster than the law intended.
Critics argue that Soros, a key financial backer of liberal organizations, has long supported efforts to restrict conservative speech online. With his newfound influence over hundreds of local radio stations, some believe he will have the power to sway public opinion in critical battleground states during the run-up to the 2024 election. The deal would give Soros the ability to reach over 165 million Americans, further raising questions about media consolidation and fairness in the media landscape.
Despite these concerns, the FCC’s approval of Soros’s acquisition is just the latest move in a broader strategy that many see as a clear attempt to shape the national conversation in favor of liberal agendas. With the election looming, this deal is sure to continue sparking intense debate, with some arguing that Soros’s influence over the media could undermine the very principles of free speech and media diversity that the FCC was created to protect.
