Sen. Ted Cruz Supports Jimmy Kimmel Against Trump
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is surprisingly stepping up to help Jimmy Kimmel as they both oppose President Donald Trump’s attempts to shield taxpayer-funded airwaves from left-leaning propaganda and hate speech.
This past Wednesday, the Senate Commerce Committee, led by Cruz, advanced the JAWBONE Act, paving the way for it to be considered by the Senate.
Some suggest this legislation reflects Cruz’s desire to gain favor with mainstream media and secure political support for a potential presidential campaign against Trump.
Previously, Cruz advocated for the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act (JCPA), which would have effectively established a media monopoly, sidelining conservative outlets.
The recently proposed bill, according to Cruz and his Democratic colleague, Sen. Ron Wyden (OR), would prohibit any federal agency or employee—including the President and Vice President—from coercing broadcasters.
This bill also allows individuals to fight back with financial claims, which raises concerns about possible misuse. If enacted, it could empower aggressive Democratic state attorneys general or private citizens to sue Trump for his comments regarding broadcaster content decisions, something he has often done in response to harsh criticisms aired on government-associated platforms.
For instance, Trump criticized Kimmel after he made disparaging remarks about Second Lady Melania Trump. If the JAWBONE Act were in effect, Trump could face legal repercussions for responding to such insults.
Moreover, Trump’s threats to revoke broadcasters’ licenses for not airing his addresses or for displaying biased news could land him in legal trouble as well.
Currently, Trump’s responses to criticism from public figures are protected speech under the Constitution. Should the JAWBONE Act pass, figures like New York Attorney General Letitia James or Kimmel could potentially file lawsuits against Trump, claiming he exerted pressure on broadcasters concerning content decisions.
In essence, Cruz’s bill might give a leg up to the radical left, which already holds considerable power in Hollywood and traditional media.
The JAWBONE Act would allow Democratic attorneys general, like James, and partisan trial lawyers to launch financially devastating lawsuits against Republicans whenever they contest mainstream media narratives, including false reports that defame those officials.
Once these cases reach a courtroom, Republicans could find themselves at a significant disadvantage.
This legislation would shift the burden of proof onto the defendants, suggesting Republicans are presumed guilty unless they can demonstrate their defense fits within specific, narrow exceptions outlined in the bill. It also allows litigants to initiate costly discovery processes and seek substantial financial damages, including punitive ones.
While there’s a real need to combat censorship trends from the Biden Administration, the JAWBONE Act, if passed, could serve as a weapon for the left to suppress conservatives while enhancing their grip on the media landscape.
Wyden expressed support for the bill before its markup, claiming it would empower Americans whose speech could be imperiled by government pressure. He pointed to Trump’s threats against cable networks as a clear example of the need for legal protections against coercion.
However, he overlooked the fact that these “private corporations” operate on publicly-owned airwaves and have agreed to certain standards in exchange for utilizing taxpayer resources.
The JAWBONE Act has yet to attract significant media attention—possibly intentionally—but it has received backing from Anna Gomez, the only Democrat on the Federal Communications Commission, who criticized the Trump Administration for launching investigations aimed at silencing dissenters.
Supporters of the bill include organizations like the ACLU, the First Amendment Institute, Americans for Tax Reform, and Public Knowledge, a progressive advocacy group focused on technology and telecommunications.
As Cruz seems to be plotting his political future with an eye on 2028, he has faced backlash, even in his home state. Not long ago, during an appearance on The View, he needed defending from a booing audience, and shortly after, ESPN viewers in Texas chanted their displeasure at him.
