Jimmy Kimmel Suspended! FCC Threat and Trump's Role in Late-Night Crackdown

2025-09-19 00:00:25.85

Jimmy Kimmel, late-night host, faced an "indefinite" suspension from ABC after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) threatened the network. The FCC's actions followed Kimmel's monologue criticizing Donald Trump's reaction to Charlie Kirk's death. Kimmel played a clip of Trump's seemingly insensitive response, contrasting it with the seriousness of the situation. FCC commissioner Brendan Carr, a Trump ally, called Kimmel's comments "sick" and threatened repercussions. ABC's decision to suspend Kimmel's show followed Carr's statements, possibly influenced by Nexstar, a broadcasting company with potential FCC regulatory involvement. This incident exemplifies what's described as "jawboning," where the government pressures a third party to silence speech. This is viewed as a First Amendment violation. The article further discusses a broader trend of increased pressure on media outlets critical of the Trump administration, citing examples such as Stephen Colbert's show cancellation and the influence of billionaire Trump allies on media companies. The author expresses concern over the chilling effect this has on free speech and the truth. The article concludes by drawing parallels to historical lèse-majesté laws, suggesting that the Trump administration seeks to control not only what is said but also what is laughed at.