FCC chair blasts California senator over Jimmy Kimmel, Sinclair dispute

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Federal Communications Fee Chair Brendan Carr blasted Democratic California state Sen. Scott Wiener on Tuesday for calling to interrupt up Sinclair Broadcast Group as a result of it is holding late-night host Jimmy Kimmel off its ABC stations.

Carr pointed to Wiener for example of Democratic lawmakers accusing opponents of stifling free speech whereas partaking in it themselves.

"And there it's. On Kimmel, the Democrats are engaged in nothing greater than Projection and Distortion," the Trump appointee posted on X in response to Wiener’s put up.

FCC CHAIR BRENDAN CARR DEFENDS ABC AFFILIATES PULLING JIMMY KIMMEL SHOW AFTER MONOLOGUE ABOUT CHARLIE KIRK

FCC chair Brendan Carr referred to as out a Democratic California state senator this week for threatening to interrupt up broadcast firm Sinclair. (Bloomberg / Contributor)

The progressive state lawmaker’s put up attacked Sinclair in response to information that the media conglomerate would proceed to refuse to broadcast "Jimmy Kimmel Dwell!" all through the nation for his feedback falsely suggesting that Charlie Kirk’s alleged murderer is a MAGA supporter .

Sinclair — which operates dozens of ABC associates — made the announcement after Disney reinstated Kimmel’s present this Tuesday after suspending it for a number of days following his Kirk feedback.

"Starting Tuesday evening, Sinclair will likely be preempting ‘Jimmy Kimmel Dwell!’ throughout our ABC affiliate stations and changing it with information programming. Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we consider the present’s potential return," the corporate posted on X on Monday.

Nexstar Media Group , which owns 32 ABC affiliate stations, additionally introduced on Tuesday that it'll proceed preempting "Jimmy Kimmel Dwell!"

Kimmel’s suspension sparked outrage amongst liberals, who referred to as it authorities censorship. Many pointed to the FCC chair’s podcast interview the place he prompt the fee may take motion if Disney did not. Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas, was among the many voices on the fitting who had been crucial of the FCC, evaluating it to a mob shakedown.

HOWARD STERN BLASTS ABC OVER KIMMEL SUSPENSION, SAYS HE CANCELED DISNEY+ SUBSCRIPTION

Demonstrators protest the suspension of the "Jimmy Kimmel Dwell!" present exterior the El Capitan Theatre, the place the present was filmed, in Hollywood, California, on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Jill Connelly/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photographs)

When Sinclair refused to return Kimmel to its airwaves, Wiener appeared to threaten the corporate with authorities motion.

"Can’t wait to interrupt Sinclair up. Company media consolidation doesn’t jibe with democracy. And though Sinclair isn’t a fan of democracy, most individuals are," he posted on X.

In a put up shared solely hours earlier, Wiener accused President Donald Trump "and his cronies" of constant to "strain the media to bend to their will."

Carr responded to Wiener’s put up Tuesday, saying it was proof liberals are projecting their willingness to use government power on their opponents. He added Democrats distort the problem by blaming Trump somewhat than Disney for Kimmel’s suspension.

"Projection as a result of Democrats are those that spent years illegally weaponizing authorities to silence dissent. And it's Democrats that may do all of it once more — as they're overtly telling you immediately," he wrote.

"Distortion as a result of Democrats wish to blame something apart from Disney and their native TV stations for Kimmel’s suspension. These companies determined that, of their view, a suspension made sense. The reporting on that is clear."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

Jimmy Kimmel's late-night present will return to ABC on Tuesday, however not on Nexstar or Sinclair associates. (Lou Rocco/Disney Normal Leisure Content material by way of Getty Photographs)

Carr praised Sinclair for standing as much as Disney over its choice.

"Notably, that is the primary time just lately that any native TV stations have pushed again on a nationwide programmer like Disney," he posted. "And that could be a good factor as a result of we wish need empowered native TV stations. In spite of everything, native TV stations — not the nationwide programmers — have public curiosity obligations, and they need to be making choices that of their view meets the wants of their native communities."

When requested for touch upon Carr’s put up, Wiener’s reps pointed to Wiener’s reply to Carr on X.

"Trump’s unqualified hack FCC chairman: ‘Democrats are those silencing free speech & to cease them we have to let mega firms silence criticism of the fitting.’ Do you individuals hear yourselves?? BREAK UP SINCLAIR," he said.