ABC removes Jimmy Kimmel's show from its broadcast schedule, as discussed by Oliver Darcy.
In a surprising turn of events, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr has taken an unprecedented step towards regulating the content of late-night talk shows. Specifically, Carr has threatened to take action against Jimmy Kimmel and ABC, following the comedian's comments about a controversial figure.
Oliver Darcy, founder and author of the newsletter Status, believes that this move by the administration is a clear indication of their intent to use the tools at their disposal to target media outlets that speak out against the president. Darcy also suggests that the long game for Carr and the Trump administration is to weaponize government and use the power of the federal government to silence critics.
This action by Chair Carr is not a new development, as it can be traced back to his tenure before he assumed office. In recent months, Carr has overseen a series of shifts in the media landscape, including the defunding of NPR and PBS, the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's late show, and CBS taking steps to appease Trump.
Carr's threats against Kimmel and ABC are particularly unusual given his previous stance against censorship of political satire. In 2025, during a podcast, Carr had spoken out against such censorship, calling it a threat to free speech. However, his recent actions suggest a marked departure from this stance.
The FCC's purview does not typically extend to going after late-night talk shows in this way. Yet, Carr is doing so nonetheless. This move has sparked concerns among First Amendment advocates, who view it as a dark time for free speech in the country.
Within hours of Carr's threats, Jimmy Kimmel was pulled off the air. The FCC chairman's actions against Kimmel are part of a larger pattern of censorship of political satire, which is alarming given Carr's previous stance against such censorship.
Previous FCC chairs and commissioners have spoken out against Carr and the way he is using the office to censor Donald Trump's political critics. For those who care about the First Amendment and want critics to be able to thrive in the country, this is a deeply alarming moment for free speech.
In response to criticism, Chair Carr sent a smiling face emoji, indicating a celebratory mood. This response has further fueled concerns that the FCC is being used as a tool to silence political dissent.
The administration's actions against media outlets and critics, as demonstrated by Carr's threats against Jimmy Kimmel, underscore a wider trend of intolerance towards free speech. This is a troubling development for democracy and the principles of free speech that underpin it.
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