President Trump has suggested that some TV networks should have their licenses taken away due to negative coverage of him, as he showed his support for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) amid the suspension of ABC host Jimmy Kimmel. Kimmel's show was pulled off the air indefinitely after he made comments regarding the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which sparked backlash.
On Wednesday, ABC stated it was suspending Kimmel following remarks made Monday that alluded to the suspect in Kirk’s murder being politically aligned with the 'Maga Republican' group, despite authorities attributing the motive to leftist ideology.
While addressing reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump remarked, I have read someplace that the networks were 97% against me, again, 97% negative, and yet I won and easily, all seven swing states in last year's election, implying that the media's bias warranted consequences. He continued, I would think maybe their license should be taken away, directly linking his comments to Kimmel’s suspension.
In response to the incident, the FCC's chairman Brendan Carr indicated that they would hold broadcasters accountable and that the suspension might not be the last measure taken against networks that mislead the public. Meanwhile, Kimmel's suspension drew criticism from various figures, including former President Obama, who called it a concerning example of cancel culture in the current political climate.
As debates around free speech, accountability, and media bias intensify, the entertainment and political landscapes closely watch the developments surrounding Jimmy Kimmel's show and President Trump's statements.
