Rand Paul slams FCC chair over Kimmel warning as Kimmel suspension roils ABC
Sen. Rand Paul calls FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's intervention into Jimmy Kimmel's case inappropriate, even as the late-night host faces backlash over remarks about a Charlie Kirk killer.
Sen. Rand Paul on NBC's Meet the Press criticized FCC Chairman Brendan Carr for weighing in on ABC's handling of Jimmy Kimmel and, separately, condemned remarks by the host about the man authorities say killed Charlie Kirk. Paul told host Kristen Welker that Carr, a Trump appointee, crossed a line by warning ABC to punish Kimmel or face regulatory action.
Paul characterized Carr's comments as inappropriate and said the FCC has no business weighing in on a network's content. He noted that while advertisers, affiliates or other parties may raise concerns, government regulators should not intervene in speech. 'Absolutely inappropriate. Brendan Carr has got no business weighing in on this,' Paul told Welker. Carr had suggested that ABC should sideline Kimmel or face possible federal consequences, saying, 'These companies can find ways to change conduct and take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.'
Kimmel's remarks on his Monday broadcast drew sharp backlash. On the show, he described Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old alleged killer of Charlie Kirk, as part of the 'MAGA gang,' prompting questions about the line between commentary and endorsing or amplifying a narrative about a suspect. Utah authorities described Robinson as steeped in far-left ideology, and investigators said he had a romantic relationship with his transgender roommate, used Antifa slogans, and in recent texts admitted shooting Kirk because of his hatred for the conservative figure. The mismatch between Kimmel's characterization and investigators' description fueled criticism from conservatives and some ABC affiliates.
Disney, the parent company of ABC, announced Kimmel's suspension last week. ABC affiliates including Nexstar and Sinclair signaled they would not carry the program unless action was taken. The suspension came hours after Carr suggested ABC should sideline Kimmel or face possible federal consequences. 'I mean look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way,' Carr told Benny Johnson in a post about potential actions ahead. Paul said that while pressure from advertisers or affiliates is legitimate, government involvement in speech is not.
The response to Carr's comments drew bipartisan criticism from lawmakers and media executives who warned against government interference in broadcast content. Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner criticized Carr as engaging in out-of-control intimidation, and said pulling Kimmel after the threat raised questions about whether executives acted in their own political or financial self-interest. Senator Ted Cruz likened Carr's 'easy way, hard way' line to a mob boss trope from Goodfellas. Disney executives have signaled they are trying to bring Kimmel back on the air, though a timetable has not been announced. Kimmel has not publicly apologized or retracted his statements and has continued posting on social media defending his monologues. Meanwhile, Robinson remains in custody in Utah, facing murder charges. The Post has sought comment from Carr.
The case has underscored ongoing tensions over how far public figures and regulators should go when media personalities address investigations or sensational cases. While Rand Paul framed the issue as a matter of free expression and regulatory restraint, the broader fallout—among networks, affiliates and political actors—illustrates the high stakes involved when late-night hosts weigh in on politically charged episodes. As Disney and ABC navigate the fallout and determine next steps for Kimmel, observers will be watching how policymakers balance concerns about content with protections for speech.