Republican U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who oversees the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), criticized FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s recent threats towards Disney and local broadcasters for airing Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Cruz, a powerful Texas senator, expressed concerns on his podcast Verdict with Ted Cruz, likening Carr’s actions to tactics from the movie Goodfellas. He emphasized the dangers of Carr’s approach of fining or revoking licenses of broadcasters based on show content.
Cruz’s public criticism of the administration is significant, raising alarm over free speech issues and potential government crackdowns. Cruz, who has been a target of ridicule by Kimmel on numerous occasions, disapproved of Kimmel’s comments about Charlie Kirk but opposed using government power to silence him. President Donald Trump, however, praised Carr as a patriot with courage, disagreeing with Cruz’s stance.
The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! followed Kimmel’s remarks on the political response to Charlie Kirk’s death. Prominent Democrats and civil rights groups condemned the pressure from the Trump administration to penalize Kimmel and others critical of the president. Cruz, a former constitutional lawyer, criticized Carr’s comments as extremely perilous.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for Carr’s resignation or dismissal by Trump, labeling him a severe threat to free speech. Democratic lawmakers in the House requested an investigation into Carr’s actions. Despite the backlash, Carr reaffirmed his commitment to challenging media companies and safeguarding the public’s interests.
Trump, known for his TV background, commended Kimmel’s suspension during his recent visit to Britain, denouncing Kimmel’s comments about Kirk. Kimmel, a vocal critic of Trump, mocked the president’s response to Kirk’s death in his monologue, drawing further attention to the escalating controversy.
Kimmel has not publicly addressed his suspension, leaving uncertainty about the future of his show. The fallout from this incident underscores broader concerns about freedom of speech and government influence in media broadcasting.
