Ted Cruz Breaks with Trump, Slams FCC Threats Against Jimmy Kimmel Live as "Dangerous:

In a rare move that highlights growing bipartisan concerns over free speech, Republican Senator Ted Cruz has publicly criticized a senior official in the Trump administration for threatening TV networks that aired Jimmy Kimmel Live. The late-night talk show has come under fire following a controversial monologue by host Jimmy Kimmel, prompting government pressure that many say crosses a dangerous line. The backlash began after FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr threatened to fine or revoke the licenses of broadcasters airing Monday’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live. The episode featured Kimmel addressing the murder of Charlie Kirk—a political ally of President Donald Trump—by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson. Kimmel accused far-right figures of trying to spin the tragedy for political gain. “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them,” Kimmel said during the segment. Carr’s threat prompted swift reaction. Disney-owned ABC suspended the show indefinitely, and dozens of ABC-affiliated local stations announced they would no longer air Jimmy Kimmel Live. But Carr’s statements didn’t just draw criticism from Democrats. Senator Ted Cruz, who leads oversight of the Federal Communications Commission, denounced the FCC commissioner’s comments as “dangerous as hell.” Speaking on his podcast, Cruz said the move was reminiscent of mob-style intimidation. “That’s right out of a mafioso coming into a bar going, ‘Nice bar you have here. It would be a shame if something happened to it,’” Cruz said, referencing Martin Scorsese’s classic film Goodfellas. Cruz warned that using government power to target political speech—no matter how controversial—is a dangerous precedent that could be turned against conservatives in the future. “We shouldn’t be threatening government power to force him off air,” Cruz stated. “It might feel good right now to threaten Jimmy Kimmel, but when it is used to silence every conservative in America, we will regret it.” President Trump, however, defended Carr, calling him “an incredible American patriot with courage.” Trump has also harshly criticized Kimmel’s remarks and suggested that networks airing content critical of his administration should have their FCC licenses revoked. “I’m a very strong person for free speech,” Trump told reporters on Friday. “But when broadcasters become an extension of the Democratic Party, that’s not free speech—that’s cheating.” His comments have drawn strong rebukes from civil rights organizations and Democratic lawmakers, who argue that the government’s actions represent a direct threat to the First Amendment. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called Carr “one of the single greatest threats to free speech America has ever known” and urged either his resignation or removal. Meanwhile, House Democrats have requested the FCC’s inspector general open an investigation into Carr’s actions. The future of Jimmy Kimmel Live remains uncertain, with no official comment yet from Kimmel or ABC. As the controversy grows, Cruz’s bold stance signals deepening concerns—across both political parties—about government overreach and the erosion of free speech protections in American media.

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