FCC chair Brendan Carr has faced criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike after he suggested that ABC should take action against late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over comments made about a suspect in Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
Senator Ted Cruz took a unique approach, criticizing Carr on his podcast, saying his comments were like those of a “mafioso”. Cruz argued that while the threat might seem good for Kimmel now, it would be bad if used to silence all conservatives. He also praised ABC’s decision to pull Kimmel’s show as a “smart business move”.
Carr had previously suggested that ABC should take action against Kimmel, saying it was a serious issue and calling on companies to drop late-night shows that were deemed too extreme. The Republican-led FCC has been accused of overreach by Democrats.
The situation highlights the contrast between the Republican response and that of Democrats, who are sounding the alarm over what they see as an assault on the First Amendment. The move has sparked debate about government pressure on broadcasters and the limits of free speech.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/09/19/ted-cruz-jimmy-kimmel-fcc-brendan-carr