WASHINGTON
In a notable reversal, President Donald Trump on Saturday praised Nexstar Media Group’s proposed $6.2 billion purchase of the broadcast rival Tegna, a deal he had previously criticized.
“We need more competition against THE ENEMY, the Fake News National TV Networks,” Trump wrote on social media. “Letting Good Deals get done like Nexstar — Tegna will help knock out the Fake News because there will be more competition. … GET THAT DEAL DONE.”
The acquisition, announced by Nexstar in August and pending regulatory approval, would unite two major players in local broadcast media.
Nexstar oversees more than 200 owned and partner stations in 116 markets, and also runs networks including The CW and NewsNation.
Tegna owns 64 news stations across 51 markets.
Trump’s endorsement marks a shift from his stance in November, when he questioned the deal: “If this would also allow the Radical Left Networks to ‘enlarge,’ I would not be happy.”
However, Nexstar and Tegna operate independently of major national broadcast networks like ABC and NBC. Nexstar has previously demonstrated a willingness to challenge those networks, having joined with the right-leaning Sinclair Broadcast Group in September to suspend the airing of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for a week following the host’s comments about a conservative activist.
By James Kisoo
