Cruz rips FCC chief Carr; Kimmel suspension intensifies clash over broadcast regulation

Washington – In a development that deepens a partisan clash over media regulation, ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live indefinitely on Wednesday after his opening monologue about Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer and the MAGA movement drew sharp criticism from conservatives and broadcasters alike. The action followed remarks by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr suggesting there could be a strong case for action against ABC and its owner, Disney. Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz criticized Carr on his Verdict with Ted Cruz podcast, quoting his line about choosing the easy way or the hard way and calling it "right out of Goodfellas."

Carr has argued there is a strong case for action and that networks with TV licenses have obligations to serve the public interest; Kimmel’s remarks, he said, appeared to mislead the American public. Cruz, while saying he did not like Kimmel, warned that government pressure on the media to censor or punish critics could have long-term downsides for conservatives. President Donald Trump, who cheered Kimmel’s suspension, suggested that the government might revoke broadcast licenses from networks that are largely unfriendly to him, writing on Truth Social: "They’re 97% against, they give me only bad press. They’re getting a license."

ABC’s announcement followed Kimmel’s Monday opening in which he argued that the MAGA-aligned defense of a crime involving a suspected killer and the political manipulation around it had hit a new low. Separately, Nexstar Media Group, which owns about 10% of ABC’s local affiliates, said it would replace Kimmel’s show with other programming for the foreseeable future as it pursues regulatory approvals for its $6.2 billion merger with Tegna. Carr earlier described Kimmel’s remarks as "truly sick" and said there was a "strong case" for action against ABC and Disney.

On Thursday, Cruz pressed his critique on Carr, arguing that the FCC chair’s posture risks chilling free expression rather than enforcing broadcast standards. He reiterated his view that a government role in policing content could become a political weapon, especially in an era of partisan media battles tied to the 2024 election cycle.

Court filings in the case linked to Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer included a note from the killer’s mother stating that her son had become more political and leaned left, a detail prosecutors described in court documents obtained by reporters. Trump has continued to press his case against perceived media bias, and in recent weeks has taken legal action against several news networks and newspapers. In a separate development, a federal judge recently tossed Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times for excessive length; Trump has repeatedly blasted ABC as "FAKE NEWS" and has argued that licenses should be scrutinized for networks with anti-Trump coverage.