The ongoing fallout from Jimmy Kimmel’s removal from ABC has sparked heated debate across Washington, with Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz weighing in on the controversy.
Known for his strong conservative stance and loyalty to former President Donald Trump, Cruz criticized actions taken by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, warning that government interference in media could have serious consequences.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr Steps Into the Spotlight
The controversy began when FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed during the Trump administration, issued a warning to ABC and Disney to “change conduct and take action” against Jimmy Kimmel.
This came after Kimmel made comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination during a recent monologue.
Shortly afterward, major broadcasting affiliates Nexstar and Sinclair announced they would no longer air Kimmel’s show indefinitely.
Disney-owned ABC also confirmed the comedian’s show would not continue, ending over 20 years of Kimmel’s late-night career spanning 23 seasons.
Cruz Criticizes the FCC’s Role
Senator Cruz, who has appeared on Kimmel’s show in the past for light-hearted interviews, described Carr’s actions as “dangerous as hell” and likened the situation to something out of Goodfellas.
“If the government gets in the business of saying, ‘We don’t like what you, the media, have said; we’re going to ban you from the airwaves if you don’t say what we like’ — that will end up bad for conservatives,” Cruz asserted.
While Cruz expressed personal respect for Carr, calling him “a good guy” and “the chairman of the FCC,” he emphasized that using government power to control speech sets a dangerous precedent.
Warning to Conservatives About Future Risks
Cruz also cautioned that political power can shift, and today’s tools could be used against conservatives by a future Democratic administration.
“They will silence us,” he warned on his podcast, “They will use this power, and they will use it ruthlessly.”
The Daily Mail reached out to both Carr and the FCC for comment, as the debate over media censorship continues to divide lawmakers and the public alike.
The Controversial Comments That Sparked the Fallout
Kimmel’s comments during a Monday monologue claimed a MAGA supporter was responsible for Charlie Kirk’s killing, a statement quickly challenged by Utah prosecutors and Governor Spencer Cox, who confirmed that the suspect, Tyler Robinson, is actually a left-winger.
Kimmel had said: “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”
Following this, Disney executives reportedly decided to pull the plug after learning that Kimmel planned to double down on his remarks in the next episode.
Kimmel Among Many to Face Consequences
Kimmel is the highest-profile figure to lose his job over comments related to Kirk’s murder.
However, his case is part of a broader pattern, with hundreds of academics, educators, and media pundits having faced employment consequences for controversial statements.
As debates about free speech and media regulation heat up, the Kimmel case has become a flashpoint for discussions about the role of government in policing what is said on television.