WASHINGTON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - The incoming Federal

Communications Commission chair said on Thursday he did not

expect the agency to restore $888.5 million in subsidies to Elon

Musk's Starlink internet service, a denial he previously called

harassment of the company owned by one of President-elect Donald

Trump's closest allies.

Trump has named Musk, a key adviser and major donor to

his election campaign, to co-chair a government efficiency

initiative. Some critics have raised concerns Musk may have too

much influence in the Trump administration.

The FCC in December 2023 reaffirmed its decision to

deny Starlink, part of Musk's SpaceX, the rural broadband

subsidies because it failed to meet its obligation to deliver

high-speed internet to 642,000 rural homes. Starlink challenged

the agency's 2022 decision.

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, who was named by Trump to

become chair on Jan. 20, told reporters on Thursday: "It's very

unlikely the FCC would revisit that." He cited procedural

grounds because SpaceX had not sought further appeal or

reconsideration.

Carr, who attended a SpaceX launch with Musk and Trump this

week, has harshly criticized the FCC decision, saying in 2023

that the FCC was "taking action against Elon Musk's businesses"

and participating in a Biden administration "pattern of

regulatory harassment."

Trump has suggested Disney's ( DIS ) ABC, Comcast's ( CMCSA )

NBC and Paramount Global's ( PARAA ) CBS could lose

their FCC licenses for various reasons.

Carr criticized NBC for letting Democratic presidential

candidate Kamala Harris appear on "Saturday Night Live" just

before the election.

Carr said that the FCC will examine all the relevant

issues such as whether the broadcasters were meeting their

obligation to act in the public interest.