President Trump dismissed concerns about the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, representing a free speech attack, said Thursday that ABC Screw the show Due to poor scores. Here’s what you need to know about Kimmel pauses and related developments:
Kimmel Suspension
ABC pulls late night performance after FCC pressure:
- ABC announced Wednesday that Jimmy Kimmel’s performance will be cancelled due to comedian comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
- Kimmel’s remarks include references to the suspect’s controversial political ideology
- Hours before the ABC decision, Trump’s FCC director Brendan Carr warned that broadcasters and their local branches could face impacts if Kimmel was not punished.
- “We can do it in an easy way or in a difficult way,” Carl said
President’s response
Trump dismissed his concern for freedom of speech, citing ratings:
- During his visit to the UK to Congress, Trump exploded on TV hosts during his visit to the UK, saying “the terrible words of a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk” in a press conference on Thursday.
- “He has a very poor rating and they should have fired him a long time ago,” the president said.
- “You could call it freedom of speech, he was fired for lack of talent”
- Trump celebrates decision to socialize truth, calling it “good news for America”
Government Communications
The FCC Chairman issued a warning about the content:
- Carl said he will use his authority in the national communications regulator to address what he calls liberal bias
- “These companies can find ways to change behavior, act frankly, act against Kimmel, or else they will do other work ahead of schedule for the FCC.”
- Carr makes moves against Kimmel amid wider context of Trump’s dispute with traditional media companies
- “He smashed the exterior walls and they could control what we said, what we thought, the narrative surrounding the events,” Carl said.
Other media disputes
Trump has filed lawsuits against multiple news organizations:
- Trump has reached settlements with ABC and CBS within its coverage
- Defamation lawsuits have been filed against the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times
- Republicans in Congress deprive federal funds from NPR and PBS
- Attorney General Pam Bondi said: “If you target people who hate speech, we will absolutely aim at you and chase you,”
The first revised tension
Constitutional issues raised against government coercion:
- “Government officials cannot try to coerce private parties to punish or suppress the view that government failures are not allowed” the Supreme Court said in a unanimous opinion last year.
- Bondy later revised the comments, saying she focused on “hate speech involving threats of violence”
- House Democratic leader accuses Carr
- It is called “war” in the First Amendment, i.e. “blatantly inconsistent with American values”
Industry reaction
Broadcasting companies comply with administrative warnings:
- Nexstar Media Group is the country’s largest TV operator, echoing Carr’s language about public interest
- “It is not in the public interest to continue to provide Mr. Kimmel’s broadcasting platform to the communities we serve.”
- Nexstar’s sensitive time lands controversy, the Knickstal needs approval for FCC’s $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna
- TV company Sinclair says at Kimmel
Additional requirements
Trump demands that the late night master cancel:
- Trump releases social call for truth about Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers canceling the show after Kimmel’s suspension
- “Be NBC!!!” he wrote
- Federal agency warns media companies Content decision
Read more:
• Donald Trump says Jimmy Kimmel
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