Trump says Jimmy Kimmel suspended for bad ratings not free speech concerns after FCC pressure

President Trump dismissed concerns that late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension represents an attack on free speech, saying Thursday that ABC pulled the show due to poor ratings. Here’s what you need to know about the Kimmel suspension and related developments:

The Kimmel suspension

ABC pulls late-night show after FCC pressure:

• ABC announced Wednesday that Jimmy Kimmel show would be taken off air for comedian’s comments about assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
• Kimmel’s remarks included references to suspect’s disputed political ideology
• Hours before ABC’s decision, Brendan Carr, Trump’s handpicked head of Federal Communications Commission, warned that broadcaster and its local affiliates could face repercussions if Kimmel was not punished
• “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr said

The presidential response

Trump dismisses free speech concerns, cites ratings:

• At news conference Thursday during his state visit to Britain, Trump blasted the TV host for saying “horrible things about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk”
• “He had very bad ratings and they should have fired him a long time ago,” president said
• “You can call that free speech or not, he was fired for lack of talent”
• Trump celebrated decision on Truth Social, calling it “Great News for America”

The government communications

FCC chair issues warnings about content:

• Carr said he would use his authority at country’s communications regulator to address what he describes as liberal bias
• “These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for FCC ahead”
• Carr placed move against Kimmel in broader context of Trump’s disputes with legacy media companies
• “He smashed facade that they get to control what we say, what we think, the narrative around events,” Carr said

The other media disputes

Trump has filed lawsuits against multiple news organizations:

• Trump has already reached settlements with ABC and CBS over their coverage
• Has filed defamation lawsuits against Wall Street Journal and New York Times
• Republicans in Congress stripped federal funding from NPR and PBS
• Attorney General Pam Bondi said “we will absolutely target you, go after you, if you are targeting anyone with hate speech”

The First Amendment tensions

Constitutional concerns raised over government coercion:

• Supreme Court said in unanimous opinion last year that “government officials cannot attempt to coerce private parties in order to punish or suppress views that government disfavors”
• Bondi later revised comments to say she was focused on “hate speech that crosses line into threats of violence”
• House Democratic leaders accused Carr of “bullying ABC” and “forcing company to bend knee to Trump administration”
• Called it “war” on First Amendment that “is blatantly inconsistent with American values”

The industry response

Broadcasters comply with administration warnings:

• Nexstar Media Group, country’s biggest operator of television stations, echoed Carr’s language about public interest
• “Continuing to give Mr. Kimmel broadcast platform in communities we serve is simply not in public interest at current time,” said Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division
• Controversy landed at sensitive time for Nexstar, which needs FCC approval for its $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna
• Television company Sinclair said its stations would carry “special in remembrance of Charlie Kirk” during Kimmel’s usual time slot

The additional demands

Trump calls for more late-night host cancellations:

• After Kimmel suspension, Trump posted on Truth Social calling for cancellation of shows by Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers
• “Do it NBC!!!” he wrote
• Federal agencies issued warnings to media companies over content decisions