The radical Left has been propped up by billionaires for years. But one stands above the rest.
And now a sweetheart deal for George Soros puts Congressional Republicans on high alert.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seems to have fast-tracked a decision allowing Democrat megadonor George Soros to gain significant control over more than 200 radio stations, sparking an investigation by the House Oversight Committee amid growing concerns about “politicization” and potential interference in the 2024 presidential election.
In what looks like a blatant move to aid the far-Left billionaire, the FCC approved Soros’ acquisition of over 200 Audacy radio stations across the country, a decision that has left at least one Republican commissioner voicing strong objections.
As first reported by the New York Post, the FCC “adopted an order to approve Soros’ purchase of more than 200 radio stations in 40 markets just weeks before the presidential election,” effectively giving Soros access to an audience of over 165 million Americans at a pivotal political moment.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.) slammed the FCC for bypassing its standard procedures in an expedited review of broadcast licenses. They have called on FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel to provide documents and communications to explain the agency’s actions.
Audacy Inc., who currently owns these radio stations, is undergoing a chapter 11 reorganization in which Soros is attempting to scoop up $415 million in debt.
Comer and Langworthy sounded the alarm, pointing out that Soros has a well-documented history of funding organizations that advocate for restricting free speech and censoring conservatives online.
“He will ultimately become a ‘major’ shareholder when the bankruptcy deal concludes,” Comer and Langworthy wrote, clearly warning that Soros is aiming to tighten his grip over the media landscape in America.
They further expressed concerns over Soros’ long-standing effort to “consolidate control over the airwaves.” His investments in podcast platforms and major media markets spell trouble for free political discourse, especially with radio consumption making up 31% of all media in the U.S. — even more than television’s 24%.
The lawmakers also raised red flags over the fact that the deal could place control of U.S. airwaves in the hands of foreign interests, given that the company would be “directly or indirectly controlled” by individuals or entities outside the U.S., exceeding legal limits on foreign ownership of American media outlets.
FCC rules, updated as recently as 2016, require a thorough review of such transactions. Yet, Commissioner Brendan Carr has raised concerns that the FCC ignored its usual process, allowing Soros to bypass national security reviews that would typically take months.
“Commissioner Carr further noted that ‘the full commission itself has never signed off on a shortcut like this,'” Comer and Langworthy wrote.
“‘What we usually do is we require people to file a petition with us. We bring in national security agencies, they can review the foreign ownership… Here, they’re trying to do something that’s never been done before.'”
Comer and Langworthy pulled no punches, accusing the FCC of rushing through this deal to serve Soros and influence hundreds of radio stations just in time for the November election. They are demanding transparency and have requested records spanning from Jan. 7 to the present, giving the FCC a deadline of Oct. 3.
While Soros’ spokesperson remained silent, the FCC claimed it had received Comer’s letter and would respond in due course. The FCC stressed that no final decision has been made regarding Audacy’s bankruptcy transaction.
Officials also attempted to downplay concerns, stating that Soros would merely be a “major shareholder” but not the outright owner of the radio stations in question.
Some within the FCC have pushed back against the criticism, pointing to similar processes under previous administrations involving companies like Cumulus Media and iHeart Media.
However, the timing of this deal — and the key figure at the center — raises serious doubts about the fairness and transparency of this fast-tracked approval.
Stay tuned to the Conservative Column.
