Reference to MAGA in Kirk’s Death
Trump’s Remarks Pressuring Critical Media
Just One Day After "Jimmy Kimmel Live" Suspension
Going forward, U.S. broadcasters are expected to become even more cautious about their coverage of Donald Trump. This comes after President Trump threatened that the federal government could revoke the licenses of networks that criticize him.
On September 18 (local time), President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route from the United Kingdom to the United States, "Ninety-seven percent of network coverage was against me and negative. Yet, I still won all seven swing states in the 2024 presidential election." He added, "The media only delivers negative news about me, yet they still have broadcasting licenses. Maybe those licenses should be revoked." However, he clarified, "The decision is up to Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)."
President Trump's remarks came just one day after ABC suspended "Jimmy Kimmel Live" following comments that linked the suspect in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk to the "MAGA (Make America Great Again)" movement.
On September 17, ABC announced the indefinite suspension of its late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live." This came two days after Kimmel said on the September 15 broadcast, regarding the recent killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, "The MAGA camp is desperate to prove the suspect who killed Kirk is not one of their own." First aired in 2003, this talk show is ABC's longest-running late-night talk show.
Previously, Chairman Carr referenced Kimmel's comments and warned, "ABC must take action. If distorted remarks are repeated, the network could be fined or have its license revoked." In effect, this put pressure on the possibility of revoking ABC's broadcasting license. Major U.S. terrestrial broadcasters such as ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox must obtain a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to broadcast programs over public airwaves, which are considered public assets. This is distinct from cable networks, where paid subscribers must pay a viewing fee.
President Trump also took issue with criticism from other late-night talk show hosts, including CBS's Stephen Colbert, stating, "That should also be discussed in relation to their licenses. All these networks and their evening programs do is attack Trump." He further complained, "I've even heard it's been years since a conservative appeared on their shows. They are nothing more than spokespeople for the Democratic Party." In July, CBS announced the cancellation of its talk show "The Late Show" hosted by Stephen Colbert.
As President Trump increased pressure on talk show hosts, the future of NBC's Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers has also come under scrutiny. On his social media platform Truth Social, President Trump wrote, "Now, all that's left are Jimmy (Fallon) and Seth, the two complete 'losers' of fake news NBC. NBC should do the same!" Given that this statement came immediately after ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel's show, it is interpreted as a demand for NBC to take similar action.
U.S. political outlet Politico pointed out, "This incident is yet another move by the Trump administration under the pretext of cracking down on the 'liberal media ecosystem,' and demonstrates the White House's influence extending across the cultural sphere."
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