Following the controversial comments, Nexstar, a major ABC station owner, swiftly canceled *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* mirroring a similar situation with *Stephen Colbert* at Paramount due to pending FCC approval for a significant acquisition. Despite public disapproval, Carr suggested *The View* might be targeted next, raising concerns about whether it qualifies as a “bona fide news show” and thus should be subject to the “equal time” broadcast rule. Carr’s suggestion implies scrutiny by the FCC. The decision of Carr shows the influence and effect that the former president has over the media.
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Senator Rand Paul criticized Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr’s remarks threatening action against ABC after Jimmy Kimmel’s comments. Paul asserted that Carr’s involvement was inappropriate, emphasizing that while individuals have a right to free speech, employers also have the right to make employment decisions based on an employee’s statements. Paul also stated that the government should not be involved in such matters and called for politics to be removed from the judicial system. Paul further commented on Trump’s social media posts, arguing that “lawfare in all forms is bad,” although he acknowledged that both parties have used politically motivated prosecutions in the past.
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The article details how Donald Trump and FCC Chair Brendan Carr are accused of bullying late-night hosts into silence by leveraging the FCC’s power over broadcast licenses and corporate mergers. ABC’s “indefinite” suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show is cited as an example of corporate capitulation, mirroring instances where shows were canceled ahead of important government approvals. The author argues that corporations prioritize profits over free speech, and the FCC is complicit, with Carr seemingly willing to censor content that is critical of Trump. This approach is deemed concerning, particularly as Trump has indicated that negative press could be used to revoke broadcasting licenses.
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Senator Ted Cruz criticized FCC Chairman Brendan Carr for comments regarding Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks, likening them to threats against ABC’s broadcasting licenses. Cruz, despite disliking Kimmel’s comments, expressed concern that such actions set a dangerous precedent for government censorship, potentially targeting conservatives in the future. He stated that allowing the government to police speech would inevitably lead to the suppression of opposing viewpoints. The situation has also garnered responses from other politicians, including criticism from Democrats and defenses from Republicans, with varying perspectives on the issue of free speech and the FCC’s role.
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Disney is facing boycott calls after suspending Jimmy Kimmel, allegedly due to pressure from the Trump-appointed FCC chairman. Progressive groups like Indivisible are urging subscribers to cancel Disney services and contact the company to express disapproval. They are also lobbying for a congressional investigation into the FCC chairman’s actions, while some members of congress are attempting to force him to testify. Furthermore, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner has criticized the company’s decision, viewing it as a result of intimidation and self-interest.
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President Donald Trump has asserted that television networks airing critical commentary of him should have their licenses revoked, suggesting the FCC should take action. These remarks were made on Air Force One, amid the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live! following comments the host made about a conservative influencer’s murder. The comments have sparked concerns about freedom of speech and the press, with critics, including former President Obama and legal scholars, condemning the threats. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson has defended the president’s position, while various figures have called for FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s resignation, and Kimmel is yet to comment publicly.
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Senator Ted Cruz criticized FCC chair Brendan Carr for his remarks regarding Jimmy Kimmel’s comments on Charlie Kirk, comparing Carr’s warning to ABC to a mafia threat. Although Cruz disagreed with Kimmel’s statements, he condemned the government’s potential censorship of speech, warning it sets a dangerous precedent. The senator expressed concern that such actions could be used against conservatives by future Democratic administrations. This followed Kimmel’s show being taken off the air, causing growing discomfort among Republicans, with some voices across the political spectrum raising First Amendment concerns.
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Legal experts are expressing concerns that the Trump administration, through the FCC, may have pressured ABC into dropping Jimmy Kimmel’s show, potentially constituting illegal “jawboning” and censorship. The situation arose after Kimmel made critical remarks about the suspect in the Charlie Kirk killing. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr appeared to threaten legal action against the network and was thanked by Carr for the decision. This is seen as a potential First Amendment violation, with experts like Alex Abdo of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, claiming a direct link between government actions and the suppression of speech.
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The House Oversight Committee voted to table a motion to subpoena FCC Chair Brendan Carr regarding ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel. Despite the vote falling along party lines, there is potential for a bipartisan effort to bring Carr before the committee. Carr, in the meantime, has expressed the view that the media landscape is undergoing a “massive shift” due to President Trump’s election. Furthermore, Trump has suggested that networks critical of him should face consequences, even suggesting license revocation. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez has criticized the previous administration for weaponizing its licensing authority and called Kimmel’s suspension a form of censorship.
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The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live “indefinitely” by Disney-owned ABC came after an explicit threat from Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr. Carr, wielding the FCC’s power to regulate broadcast TV and approve mergers, pressured ABC-affiliated stations to stop airing the show, citing concerns about Kimmel’s comments regarding Charlie Kirk’s death. This governmental overreach, mirroring a prior tactic used on Paramount, led to the suspension, demonstrating an attempt to dictate the speech of private TV networks and entertainers. The FCC chair’s actions stand in stark contrast to First Amendment principles and have been condemned by some.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
Trump Outraged by Late Night Show Mockery, Calls for Censorship
President Donald Trump has asserted that television networks airing critical commentary of him should have their licenses revoked, suggesting the FCC should take action. These remarks were made on Air Force One, amid the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live! following comments the host made about a conservative influencer’s murder. The comments have sparked concerns about freedom of speech and the press, with critics, including former President Obama and legal scholars, condemning the threats. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson has defended the president’s position, while various figures have called for FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s resignation, and Kimmel is yet to comment publicly.
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