Why Trump should block the Sinclair merger

[Commentary] Republicans have been largely supportive of the [Sinclair Broadcast Group and Tribune Media mega-merger], not just because of the principle that the government should stay out of business decisions, but also for political reasons: Conservatives are excited about the prospect of a national broadcast giant with a distinct right-leaning perspective. In the short term, they’re right to be excited: The merged broadcaster would have 215 TV stations covering more than 72 percent of U.S. households, an unprecedented reach into Americans’ living rooms. But in the long run, the move could well backfire, creating huge political problems for Republicans and President Donald Trump. Opening the door to the Sinclair deal could pave the way for networks such as NBC, CBS and ABC to consolidate their own empires even further, creating huge liberal broadcasters that dwarf the size and power of the merged Sinclair-Tribune company.

For the sake of the conservative movement, a truly diverse press, and real competition, the Department of Justice should stick to Trump’s campaign promise to protect the public against the “concentration of media power” and reject the Sinclair-Tribune merger. We simply have too much to lose.

[Tom DeLay represented Texas as a Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1985 to 2006, and served in House Republican Leadership from 1993 until 2005.]