By Brian Stelter, CNN(CNN) — The eight local ABC television stations targeted by President Donald Trump’s Federal Communications Commission have generated a staggering amount of public support in recent weeks. ABC says the reason is clear: Supporters across the ideological spectrum “share a fundamental commitment to free speech and press freedom.” In a new legal filing, the Disney-owned network is urging the FCC to drop its politically motivated challenge to the eight station licenses — though it fully expects the challenge to continue. Disney publicized the FCC threat earlier in the summer and urged station viewers to submit comments. So the most likely next step, sometime in August, is a referral for an official hearing about whether to renew ABC’s station licenses.