Blue Press Journal – A growing number of Republican senators are criticizing Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr’s threats to take action against Disney’s ABC and late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel in the wake of Kimmel’s comments about the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday, calling Carr’s threats “absolutely inappropriate.” Paul’s comments were echoed by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), who while criticizing Kimmel’s remarks, argued that revoking his broadcasting license set a dangerous precedent for stifling free speech.
“We can disagree with the views expressed, but the FCC shouldn’t be in the business of deciding what Americans can watch or listen to,” Cruz stated.
Sens. Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) also voiced their support for Cruz, with Young writing on social media, “Important comments by my colleague on the Commerce Committee, Chairman Ted Cruz. As Americans, we must cherish and protect free speech.”
The editorial page of The Wall Street Journal praised Cruz and other Republicans for pushing back against Carr’s tactics, warning that such efforts to silence critics could come back to haunt the GOP in the future.
The controversy began last week when Carr threatened to revoke ABC’s broadcasting licenses after Kimmel made comments about Kirk’s death that inflamed Republicans and other right-wing figures. In response, ABC pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from the air indefinitely.
Blue Press Journal – The Kimmel conundrum: it seems the Trump administration’s attempt to silence the late-night host has backfired in a big way. New polling released Friday suggests that the public is not buying what the Republicans are selling, and instead, they’re calling foul on the FCC’s strong-arming tactics.
But what’s even more interesting is that the public thinks FCC Director Brendan Carr crossed the line with his comments. A full 43% of adults say his remarks were unacceptable, while only 26% think they were okay.
Acceptability of Carr’s Comments
Percentage
Unacceptable
43%
Acceptable
26%
Unsure
31%
As Senator Ted Cruz so aptly put it, “That’s right out of ‘Goodfellas.’ We shouldn’t be threatening government power to force him off air. That’s a real mistake.” Even a Republican as conservative as Cruz recognizes that the FCC’s actions are a clear overreach.
Kimmel’s comments, after all, were not without merit. The Trump administration and its allies have been working overtime to assign blame for Kirk’s murder to the “left,” in a blatant attempt to gin up outrage against Democrats. It’s a tired old tactic, and the public is not buying it.
The Trump administration’s push to silence Kimmel has only served to highlight the very issue he was trying to address. It’s a classic case of shooting oneself in the foot, and the public is not amused.
So, to all the Republicans dancing on Kimmel’s metaphorical grave, beware: the public is watching, and they’re not impressed.
Blue Press Journal – In a move that has sent shockwaves through the media landscape, ABC has pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live” from the airwaves of its Nexstar affiliates. This isn’t just a scheduling change; it is a stark, chilling capitulation to political pressure, a profound attack on the fundamental principles of free speech, and a betrayal of the public trust that demands an immediate, unequivocal response: a boycott of ABC and Nexstar.
The decision, made by Disney CEO Bob Iger and Entertainment chief Dana Walden, comes in the wake of escalating threats from FCC Chair Brendan Carr. As Status’s Oliver Darcy reported, Carr’s intimidation tactics were explicit and alarming. He didn’t mince words, stating, “This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.” This is not the language of a regulatory body upholding standards; it is the language of coercion, a thinly veiled threat designed to bend corporate media to a specific political will.
And whose will might that be? None other than President Donald Trump, who, after previously attacking Kimmel, celebrated ABC’s move. Not content with this victory, Trump then urged NBC to similarly drop late-night shows featuring Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers. This pattern is deeply concerning and unmistakably clear: a deliberate attempt to silence dissenting voices and consolidate media narratives in favor of a particular political agenda. This must stop, and we – the American public – must be the ones to stop it.
The Dangerous Precedent: Free Speech Under Siege
This isn’t merely about a late-night comedian or a specific set of comments attributed to Charlie Kirk that supposedly triggered this chain of events. This is about the chilling effect such actions have on the entire ecosystem of free expression. When major media corporations, supposedly bastions of information and diverse viewpoints, bow to political threats, the very foundation of a democratic society is eroded. The free press serves as a check on power, a platform for debate, and a mirror reflecting the realities, however uncomfortable, of our nation. To allow it to be manipulated by political strong-arming transforms it into a propaganda machine.
The historical echoes are deafening. The suppression of independent media, the demonization of critical voices, and the push for a monolithic narrative are not new tactics. As the provided context rightly warns, “Hitler did this same thing in the 1930s by eliminating all news but this propaganda machine.” While such comparisons must always be made with extreme caution, the underlying principle of silencing opposition and controlling information is a dangerous path, regardless of who walks it. It is a path that every citizen who values a vibrant, open society should recognize and resist with every fiber of their being.
A Glaring Double Standard and the Call for Consistency
Adding insult to injury, this swift and decisive action against Kimmel and ABC contrasts sharply with how other media outlets handle equally, if not more, egregious controversies. Political commentators have highlighted this hypocrisy, stating, “Fox News continues to employ people who called for the murder of homeless people… This is so utterly pathetic.” They rightly ask, “When was the our rage in that he is still on Fox with little more that a slap on the wrist?”
Why is one show yanked over comments from a figure, while other personalities making offensive statements continue broadcasting without repercussions? The motivation is clear: it’s not about protecting public sensibilities, but about political control and silencing dissent. The banning of Jimmy Kimmel was set in motion by Donald Trump’s FCC Chair Brendan Carr, whose threats were a direct order to “take action on Kimmel or there will be additional work for the FCC ahead.” This is not regulation; it is weaponization.
Our Moment to Act: Boycott ABC and Nexstar
We cannot sit idly by and watch as our media landscape is reshaped by political intimidation. This is not a partisan issue; it is an issue of principle, of protecting the integrity of our press and the sanctity of free speech. The time for passive disapproval is over. We must take concrete action.
Boycott ABC and Nexstar.
Yes, Boycott ABC and Nexstar.
Don’t watch their channels. Don’t engage with their content. Make a conscious choice to stand up for press freedom and free speech. We must send an unmistakable message to these corporations: their choice to bow down to the Trump Administration and the MAGA crowd will not come at a cost only to Jimmy Kimmel or a few late-night hosts. It will come at a cost to them – a cost measured in viewership, advertising revenue, and ultimately, public trust.
We are not a silent majority that approves of the direction this nation is taking under such pressures. On the contrary, the data suggests that 56 percent of the American public disapproves of his administration.We are a powerful majority, and our silence must now become a roar of dissent.
This is our moment to demonstrate that the American people will not tolerate the erosion of free speech and the weaponization of regulatory bodies against independent media. We must make ABC and Nexstar feel the weight of our collective disapproval.
Boycott ABC and Nexstar. Let our actions speak louder than any silenced voice.
Blue Press Journal 