President Joe Biden’s “FCC pick just withdrew after being humiliated by Senator J.D. Vance” in April.
Biden FCC nominee withdrew in 2023, not 2024
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Gigi Sohn, President Joe Biden’s 2021 nominee to join the Federal Communications Commission, withdrew from consideration in 2023.
Gigi Sohn, President Joe Biden’s onetime nominee to join the Federal Communications Commission, withdrew from consideration in March 2023.
More than a year later, a Facebook post suggests this happened only recently.
“Biden’s FCC pick just withdrew after being humiliated by Senator J.D. Vance,” the April 3 post said.
The post includes a clip of Vance questioning Sohn about racial rhetoric.
It was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)
The footage of Vance is from Sohn’s confirmation hearing Feb. 14, 2023.
Her nomination struggled against opposition from Republicans and some Democrats. Biden first nominated Sohn in October 2021 and then renominated her in January 2023 after her nomination had lapsed because objections had stalled it.
Sohn withdrew from consideration a few weeks after the February 2023 confirmation hearing that included the exchange with Vance — not recently.
We rate claims that she “just” withdrew in April False.
Our Sources
Facebook post, April 3, 2024
C-SPAN, Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Confirmation Hearing, Feb. 14, 2023
NPR, Biden's pick for FCC commissioner withdraws after lengthy fight for the job, March 7, 2023
CNBC, Biden FCC nominee Gigi Sohn withdraws, citing ‘cruel attacks’ in battle with cable and media industries, March 7, 2023
The Verge, President Biden nominates Gigi Sohn for FCC — again, Jan. 3, 2023
