FCC chair explains Jimmy Kimmel present suspension after feedback on Charlie Kirk

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FCC Chairman Brendan Carr joined Sean Hannity on Fox Information Wednesday evening to elucidate why Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night TV present was abruptly suspended following backlash over his controversial feedback concerning the assassination of Turning Level USA co-founder Charlie Kirk .

Carr pressured that broadcast networks like ABC function with a license that has a "distinctive obligation to function within the public curiosity," in contrast to cable channels equivalent to CNN.

"Broadcasters are completely different than another type of communication," Carr stated, pointing to affiliate teams like Nexstar and Sinclair that introduced they might now not carry "Jimmy Kimmel Stay." He argued that native stations acted appropriately, saying they have been "standing as much as serve the pursuits of their neighborhood."

"Over time, the FCC walked away from implementing that public curiosity obligation," Carr stated. "I don’t assume we’re higher off as a rustic for it."

DISNEY SAYS JIMMY KIMMEL'S SHOW 'WILL BE PRE-EMPTED INDEFINITELY' FOLLOWING CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN COMMENTS

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr seems on Fox Information’ "Hannity" on Sept. 17, 2025, to debate ABC associates pulling Jimmy Kimmel’s present. (Fox Information)

Hannity pressed Carr on whether or not broadcasters had been abusing their licenses by advancing partisan agendas.

"They went from going for applause, from chortle strains to applause strains. They went from being courtroom jesters that will make enjoyable of all people in energy to being courtroom clerics and implementing a really slender political ideology," Carr asserted.

Carr pointed to what he described as years of "slender, partisan circus" programming and stated the FCC was working to reinvigorate enforcement of the general public curiosity obligation. He known as Nexstar and Sinclair’s choices "unprecedented."

FCC CHAIR LEVELS THREAT AGAINST ABC, DISNEY AFTER KIMMEL SUGGESTED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN WAS 'MAGA'

Jimmy Kimmel internet hosting his late-night program in Los Angeles earlier this 12 months. (David Russell/Disney by way of Getty Photos)

"This motion right this moment by Nexstar and Sinclair, frankly, it's unprecedented," stated Carr. "I can’t think about one other time after we’ve had native broadcasters inform what we name a nationwide programmer like Disney that your content material now not meets the wants and the values of our neighborhood."

The controversy erupted after Kimmel suggested that conservatives have been making an attempt to deflect accountability from "the MAGA gang" in reference to the arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, the suspect accused in Charlie Kirk’s killing.

Carr defended the indefinite suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Stay" whereas showing on "Hannity" Wednesday. (Al Drago/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photos)

Nexstar, which is awaiting FCC approval on a multibillion-dollar acquisition, introduced it could preempt Kimmel’s present "for the foreseeable future." Hours later, Disney confirmed ABC would droop this system indefinitely.

The ACLU blasted the transfer, accusing the Trump administration of utilizing federal strain to silence critics. "That is past McCarthyism," stated Christopher Anders, the group’s democracy and know-how director, warning of a "grave menace to our First Modification freedoms."

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Carr instructed Hannity the shift mirrored market realities, arguing that late-night exhibits had alienated broad audiences by prioritizing politics over comedy.