Executive Summary
- FCC Chairman Brendan Carr threatened Disney and ABC with regulatory action, including potential revocation of affiliate licenses, over remarks made by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.
- Carr’s condemnation followed Kimmel’s monologue speculating on the political affiliation of a suspected killer, suggesting he might have been a pro-Trump Republican.
- The chairman described Kimmel’s comments as “the sickest conduct possible” and indicated the FCC could compel Disney to address Kimmel’s actions, implying a breach of public interest obligations for broadcasters.
The Story So Far
- The Federal Communications Commission’s Trump-aligned chairman, Brendan Carr, has threatened Disney and ABC with potential regulatory action, including the revocation of affiliate licenses, following remarks by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. Kimmel’s comments speculated on the political affiliation of a suspected killer, suggesting a link to President Trump’s political movement, which Carr deemed “sickest conduct possible” and a potential breach of broadcasters’ public interest obligations. This situation reflects an escalation in tensions between political figures and media personalities, particularly those critical of conservative viewpoints, with regulatory power being wielded in response to perceived media bias.
Why This Matters
- FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s threat of regulatory action, including the revocation of affiliate licenses against Disney and ABC, over Jimmy Kimmel’s politically charged comments regarding a suspected killer, signals a significant escalation of government scrutiny over media content. This move could set a precedent for increased FCC intervention in broadcasters’ political commentary, potentially chilling free speech on licensed platforms, and highlights the growing tension between political figures and media outlets, particularly those critical of the Trump-aligned movement.
Who Thinks What?
- FCC Chairman Brendan Carr believes Jimmy Kimmel’s comments constitute “the sickest conduct possible” and a potential breach of broadcasters’ public interest obligations, threatening Disney and ABC with regulatory action, including license revocation, if they do not address the issue.
- Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue included speculation about the political affiliation of a suspected killer, suggesting a link to President Trump’s political movement, which prompted Chairman Carr’s strong condemnation and threats of FCC intervention.
The Federal Communications Commission’s Trump-aligned chairman, Brendan Carr, has threatened Disney and ABC with potential regulatory action, including the revocation of affiliate licenses, over recent remarks made by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. Carr’s condemnation followed Kimmel’s Monday evening monologue, where he speculated on the political affiliation of Tyler Robinson, the suspected killer of Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer, suggesting he might have been a pro-Trump Republican.
FCC Chairman’s Stance
In an interview with Benny Johnson, Chairman Carr described Kimmel’s comments as “the sickest conduct possible.” He indicated that the FCC could compel Disney to address Kimmel’s actions, stating, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” Carr suggested that if the companies do not take action against Kimmel, the FCC would pursue “additional work” to ensure compliance.
Carr emphasized that broadcasters operate under licenses granted by the FCC and are obligated to serve the public interest. His remarks implied that Kimmel’s comments might be seen as a breach of this public interest obligation, potentially justifying regulatory intervention by the commission.
Kimmel’s Remarks and Carr’s Response
During his monologue, Kimmel’s specific remarks suggested a potential political motivation for the alleged killer, drawing a direct link to the political movement associated with President Trump. This speculation ignited the strong reaction from Carr, who oversees the independent government agency responsible for regulating interstate and international communications.
Beyond the regulatory threats, Carr also personally attacked Kimmel, labeling him “talentless” and suggesting his comments displayed “some sort of desperate irrelevance.” These personal criticisms accompanied the more formal threats of FCC action against ABC and its parent company, Disney.
Implications for Broadcasters
The FCC chairman’s threat signals a potential escalation in the ongoing tensions between political figures and media personalities, particularly those critical of conservative viewpoints. The suggestion of revoking broadcast licenses represents a significant regulatory power that could impact media companies if such actions were pursued by the commission.
