Cruz blasts Carr as Kimmel firing sparks FCC clash over media speech

Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz on Tuesday condemned FCC Chairman Brendan Carr for his role in ABC’s decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel from the air, arguing that using regulatory pressure to punish a host for a televised monologue crosses a line. Carr had warned ABC and Disney to change conduct and take action after comments Kimmel made about Charlie Kirk’s killing, a move that set off a rapid sequence of network responses. Cruz, who has appeared on Kimmel’s program in the past, said Carr’s approach was dangerous and resembled intimidation tactics from classic organized-crime stories, warning that government pressure on the media could backfire against conservatives if pursued by future administrations.

Within hours, Nexstar and Sinclair, which air Kimmel’s show on local affiliates across the country, said they would stop broadcasting the program indefinitely. Disney, the parent company of ABC, confirmed that Kimmel’s show would not air on the network. The announcements came after a cross–company decision to suspend the show, ending a run that spanned more than two decades and 23 seasons.

Cruz’s criticism sits within a broader GOP warning against using the FCC’s powers to suppress speech. He noted he works closely with Carr and praised him as a capable official, but insisted that allowing the regulator to police broadcasts could produce a chilling effect beyond the current media landscape. He argued conservatives would face the risk of having their own words silenced should a future White House on the other side of the aisle hold the same authority.

Kimmel’s remarks had sparked a broader backlash. The notes indicate that on Monday he criticized a MAGA supporter for the killing of Charlie Kirk; Utah prosecutors and Gov. Spencer Cox later said the shooting suspect was left-wing, not connected to Kirk. The Daily Mail reported the controversy and noted that Kimmel planned to double down on his remarks before Disney moved to pull the plug. The episode underscores how swiftly media convergence, corporate sponsorship, and regulatory rhetoric can collide in a fast-changing political-media environment.

Cruz’s stance aligns with other GOP lawmakers who have warned that the FCC should not be used to silence dissent or punish media outlets for provocative commentary. The episode also highlights the precarious balance between defending free speech and addressing violent or inflammatory rhetoric in a polarized political climate. As late-night hosts and other media figures navigate warnings from regulators and corporate partners, observers are watching to see how much authority the FCC might assert over broadcast content in the months ahead, and what that could mean for political discourse on Capitol Hill and beyond.