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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Oklahoma legislators recently introduced a bill mandating that all public universities construct a “Charlie Kirk Memorial Plaza” with a statue and signage honoring the deceased conservative activist, or face fines. This legislation follows tributes comparing Kirk to civil rights leaders, despite his past criticisms of figures like Martin Luther King Jr. The bill requires legislative approval of the memorial design and includes measures to protect the plaza from vandalism. However, this proposal comes amidst research revealing significant disagreement with Kirk’s views among college students, and criticism from religious leaders who disagree with these comparisons.
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Pete Buttigieg goes viral for predicting Trump’s free speech crackdown. The core of the viral moment revolves around a clip from Buttigieg during last year’s presidential campaign. In the clip, he warned that free speech would be under threat in the US, specifically because Trump had expressed intentions to punish media outlets for their coverage. This, as many point out, is a fairly straightforward prediction considering Trump’s well-documented history of antagonism towards the media.
It’s worth noting that the response to Buttigieg’s “prediction” is varied. Some acknowledge the obvious nature of the forecast, given Trump’s established patterns. Others frame it less as a profound insight and more as an observation that anyone paying attention could have made.… Continue reading
The recent indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel due to remarks about Charlie Kirk highlights a concerning trend of stifled free speech, mirroring tactics once employed by the left. This “woke” right, led by figures like Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, is attempting to silence dissent, often using the same justification previously used by social justice activists. Unlike past crackdowns, this effort lacks widespread support and a clear mandate, relying instead on fear and intimidation. Ultimately, this MAGA-driven cultural control is doomed to fail, as it lacks the cultural backing of previous periods of moral panic, and the First Amendment will continue to be challenged but never destroyed.
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During a press conference, President Trump asserted that negative media coverage of him is “really illegal,” arguing that it constitutes cheating rather than free speech. He cited the high percentage of unfavorable stories about him as evidence of unfair treatment by news outlets, likening them to extensions of the Democratic National Committee. This stance follows the administration’s crackdown on free speech in the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death, which has drawn criticism from both liberals and some conservatives, including former President Barack Obama and Senator Ted Cruz. The administration’s actions include the firing of an MSNBC analyst and the indefinite pulling of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show, after pressure from the FCC chairman.
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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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Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner has publicly criticized the company’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s show on ABC, owned by Disney. Eisner, who served as CEO from 1984 to 2005, expressed his disapproval of the indefinite suspension, linking it to the FCC Chairman’s threats against ABC. The decision followed Kimmel’s comments about the Charlie Kirk assassination, which sparked controversy. Eisner’s remarks and those of other prominent figures, including celebrities and former late-night hosts, come in the wake of FCC threats and raise concerns about free speech and corporate interests within the media landscape.
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President Trump defended FCC Chair Brendan Carr, despite Senator Ted Cruz’s criticism of Carr’s actions regarding the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel. Cruz denounced Carr’s actions, warning that they set a dangerous precedent for suppressing free speech. Trump disagreed with Cruz and stated Carr was a patriot taking on networks that criticized him. The controversy arose after Kimmel’s comments about a conservative activist’s murder, which led Carr to threaten ABC’s broadcast license.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood