September 19, 2025
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has publicly criticized recent actions by FCC Chair Brendan Carr, joining Democrats in condemning what many see as politically motivated pressure on broadcasters. The controversy comes in response to the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! following Carr’s warnings that broadcasters airing the show could face fines or risk losing their licenses.
What led up to the suspension
The conflict began after an opening monologue by Jimmy Kimmel in which he addressed the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel questioned whether conservative reactions were genuine grief or political point scoring, and he suggested that the killer may also have had conservative views.
Responding to the monologue, Carr warned that licensed broadcasters who continued to carry Kimmel’s show could face regulatory action. Shortly thereafter, ABC (owned by Disney) suspended the show, and many local ABC-affiliated stations declined to air it.Reactions & implications
- Senator Cruz denounced Carr’s threats as dangerous, likening them to “Mafia” tactics: suggesting that government pressure was being used to silence critics under threat of punishment.
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and others in the Democratic party demanded accountability. Schumer went so far as to call Carr “one of the single greatest threats to free speech America has ever known.
- The development has raised broader concerns about free speech, the role of government oversight of media, and what standards are being used to determine when a show crosses the line.
What’s unresolved
- As of the latest reports, Jimmy Kimmel Live! has not issued a public response to its suspension.
- The future of the show remains unclear, as do any further regulatory or legal consequences for broadcasters who may defy the FCC’s warnings.
Bottom line: The case of Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension has spotlighted tensions between media freedom, political critique, and regulatory power in the U.S. The bipartisan criticism suggests that concerns over censorship are crossing traditional party lines.