“Licence should be taken away” Trump threatens TV networks over criticism
President Donald Trump stated that US television networks might encounter examination of their broadcast licenses should they broadcast excessive criticism of him. During a conversation with reporters on Air Force One on Thursday, he remarked, “When you have a network and you have evening shows, and all they do is hit Trump, I would think maybe their licence should be taken away.”
Trump’s remarks followed closely on the heels of ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night program, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, indefinitely. The decision came in response to criticism from conservatives regarding the late-night host’s comments on the passing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. ABC took action following the announcement from affiliates, such as Nexstar Communications Group, that they would cease airing the show. In defense of the suspension, Trump asserted that Kimmel’s removal was driven more by ratings than by concerns for free speech. “Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings more than anything else, and he said a horrible thing about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk,” Trump stated during a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr stated that the agency might assess whether broadcasters such as ABC are fulfilling their obligation to serve the public interest. “We’re going to continue to hold these broadcasters accountable and if broadcasters don’t like that simple solution, they can turn their licence in to the FCC”, Carr stated. Nonetheless, the FCC grants licenses to local stations, rather than to national networks. The agency’s distinction indicates that it lacks direct authority over programs such as Kimmel’s. In his Monday monologue, Kimmel condemned Donald Trump supporters for turning Kirk’s killing into a political issue. “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them,” Kimmel stated. The next evening, he ridiculed Vice President JD Vance’s guest-hosting appearance on Kirk’s podcast. The comments ignited a wave of conservative indignation and demands for action from ABC. Trump’s disagreement with Kimmel occurs within a broader conflict with media organizations. Earlier this week, he initiated a $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times, alleging bias. In 2024, ABC settled a defamation case brought by Trump for $15 million, stemming from remarks made by host George Stephanopoulos. Critics argue that Trump’s ongoing lawsuits and threats jeopardize free speech.
Senate Democrats charged that the FCC has been “weaponised” against broadcasters, whereas certain Republicans advocated for a more cautious approach. Senator Rand Paul, for instance, cautioned that the government ought not to meddle in media decisions. Jimmy Kimmel, 57, is an Emmy-winning comedian and the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a show that debuted in 2003. Kimmel is recognized for his celebrity interviews, comedy sketches, and political monologues, frequently utilizing his platform to critique US politics, including Trump’s presidency. In previous monologues, he has ridiculed Trump’s policies and legal challenges. Reflecting on Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, he remarked, “We had a choice between a prosecutor and a criminal, and we chose the criminal.”
