Trump Says TV Networks That Are Overly Critical Of Him Should Have Their Licenses Revoked
President Donald Trump has escalated his war with the media, suggesting that TV networks critical of him should have their licenses revoked. This follows the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel by ABC, after he accused MAGA supporters of exploiting the murder of conservative figure Charlie Kirk. Trump backed the decision, calling Kimmel “not a talented person” and claiming the show had “bad ratings”—though Kimmel recently topped key demographic charts.
The fallout has been swift. FCC Chair Brendan Carr hinted at regulatory consequences for ABC, and even suggested the FCC might investigate The View. Meanwhile, protests erupted outside Disney Studios, with hundreds of writers, actors, and union members calling the suspension a threat to free speech. “It’s heartbreaking,” said a former Kimmel writer, as backlash mounts against both ABC and the FCC.
High-profile critics, including Barack Obama and David Letterman, have also condemned what they see as politically motivated censorship. Obama called it “a new and dangerous level” of cancel culture driven by government pressure. FCC commissioner Anna Gomez and lawmakers like Ro Khanna accused Carr of abusing his power. As pressure builds, Democrats are preparing legislation to protect political commentary, warning that “comedy is becoming illegal.”
