Sinclair, a media conglomerate, will replace “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on its ABC affiliate stations with a Charlie Kirk tribute special and is offering it to all other ABC stations due to Kimmel’s recent comments. The company is also demanding Kimmel apologize to Kirk’s family and donate to Turning Point USA. This move follows Sinclair and Nexstar Media Group pulling the show from their ABC stations, leading to ABC suspending production. Sinclair emphasized a commitment to professionalism and accountability and will not air the show until those standards are met, and is also conducting a strategic review of its broadcast business, subject to FCC review for any deals.
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The article contends that the cancellation of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is a symptom of a broader threat to free speech and democracy. Kimmel’s remarks about the politicization of Charlie Kirk’s death were met with criticism from the right, but were quickly defended by the host himself, and were not deemed to be offensive. However, in response, the FCC and media conglomerates like Disney and Nexstar seemingly colluded to silence Kimmel, citing unprecedented threats from FCC chairman Brandon Carr. These actions, including the preemptive suspension of Kimmel’s show, are seen as a strategic move by media companies to appease the FCC and maintain business interests, especially given pending regulatory approvals. The author views this as a dangerous precedent, representing the further erosion of free speech and the suppression of dissenting voices.
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Following controversial comments made by Jimmy Kimmel after the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, ABC indefinitely suspended *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*. Nexstar, a major ABC affiliate owner, cited Kimmel’s remarks as offensive and not reflective of community values, with Sinclair Inc. also pulling the show from its stations. The decision sparked both boycott calls against ABC and Disney, as well as praise, including from former President Donald Trump. This action raises questions about free speech, the influence of station groups, and potential regulatory pressure, with the FCC chairman’s comments drawing concerns from civil-liberties groups and prompting calls for formal complaints.
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The recent suspension of Jimmy Kimmel highlights the Trump administration’s tactic of weaponizing regulatory powers to silence critics, echoing methods used by autocrats. FCC head Brendan Carr threatened broadcasting licenses due to Kimmel’s comments, despite legal limitations on censorship. Faced with potential repercussions, Nexstar, a major station owner, and subsequently ABC/Disney, suspended Kimmel, demonstrating a chilling effect on free speech. This incident exemplifies a concerning trend of democratic backsliding where seemingly neutral rules are exploited to punish political enemies, emphasizing the ease with which media outlets capitulate to government pressure.
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Trump designating an anti-fascist Antifa movement as a terrorist organization – where do we even begin? Honestly, it feels like we’re navigating some bizarre political funhouse mirror, where the very definitions of words are twisted and contorted beyond recognition. The immediate reaction, and it’s a common one, is to question the logic. How can opposing fascism be considered terrorism? It’s like saying fighting against a fire makes you part of the blaze. It just doesn’t compute.
The inherent absurdity of this designation becomes even clearer when you consider that “Antifa” isn’t an organization in the traditional sense. There’s no central leadership, no formal membership structure, and no unified agenda beyond, well, being anti-fascist.… Continue reading
Newsom blasts ‘spineless’ ABC for pulling Jimmy Kimmel over Charlie Kirk remarks. This whole situation is a mess, and it’s easy to see why people are up in arms. The reports that ABC, owned by Disney, pulled Jimmy Kimmel from the airwaves due to comments related to Charlie Kirk and, more broadly, the political climate feel heavy-handed. It’s the kind of move that feels like a direct assault on free speech and independent thought, especially when you consider the context of Kimmel’s remarks.
Newsom’s strong reaction seems entirely justified. Calling out ABC’s decision as “spineless” hits the nail on the head.… Continue reading
Following the shooting of Charlie Kirk, the Trump administration and conservative figures have equated leftist critique with “terrorism,” sparking fears of a new McCarthyist era. High-ranking officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance, have vowed to dismantle organizations and networks perceived to be promoting violence. This rhetoric has led to widespread calls for retribution against those expressing dissent or celebrating Kirk’s death, resulting in firings, suspensions, and public shaming across various sectors. Civil rights advocates and free speech proponents have warned of a chilling effect, as employers and social media platforms amplify calls for punishment, suppressing political activity and free expression.
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Following comments made about Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer, Disney’s ABC has indefinitely removed Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show from its programming. This decision came after pressure from Trump administration officials, including FCC chair Brendan Carr, who suggested that the FCC could intervene. In response, several ABC-affiliated station owners, including Nexstar and Sinclair, announced they would preempt Kimmel’s show, sparking accusations of appeasing the administration. Free speech advocates condemned ABC’s actions, while the White House celebrated.
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FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has threatened to revoke ABC’s broadcasting license in response to a Jimmy Kimmel joke about the suspected shooter of Charlie Kirk, Tyler Robinson. Carr accused Kimmel of spreading misinformation by playing into a narrative that Robinson was a “MAGA or Republican motivated person”. Carr suggested that if Disney and ABC did not take action against Kimmel, the FCC would intervene, citing their obligation to operate in the public interest. Legal experts and FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez have since condemned Carr’s statements, noting the FCC lacks the authority to control content and that such actions could suppress free speech.
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ABC has indefinitely suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show due to his comments regarding the murder of Charlie Kirk, which prompted Nexstar Communications Group, operator of 23 ABC affiliates, to pull the show from their stations. Kimmel’s comments on Monday and Tuesday nights, which were critical of responses to the killing, were deemed “offensive and insensitive” by Nexstar. There was no immediate comment from Kimmel or ABC regarding the suspension.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood