Brendan Carr, the Chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is grabbing attention after ABC announced the indefinite suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.
Kimmel recently faced backlash from President Trump and conservative figures for his comments on Charlie Kirk’s response to a tragic shooting.
“We’ve hit some low points recently, and the Magagangs seem eager to shift the blame away from themselves and score political points,” Kimmel remarked. He also claimed Trump was expressing sorrow for Kirk.
ABC’s decision to suspend Kimmel followed Nexstar Media Group’s announcement to preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live” beginning Wednesday. Nexstar, which owns the Hill, is a major player in local news nationwide.
What did Carr say about Kimmel?
On Benny Johnson’s podcast, Carr criticized Kimmel’s remarks, describing them as “really ill” and suggested that the station should consider distancing itself from Kimmel’s show.
“It’s time for them to take a stand against this type of commentary if they want to remain relevant to our community,” he said.
Following Kimmel’s suspension, Carr expressed approval, stating that the station has historically upheld the right to control national programming that does not align with public interests and community values.
“It’s encouraging to see broadcasters responding to audience concerns,” Carr noted.
On Fox News’ “Hornity” segment, Carr asserted that Kimmel and similarly left-leaning comedians were “facing repercussions” due to what he described as a “very narrow audience.”
What is Carr’s role in the FCC?
Appointed by Trump in November as the FCC chair, Carr replaced Jessica Rosenworcel. Trump lauded Carr as a “free speech warrior.”
“He’s ending the regulatory onslaught that hampers American innovation and endeavor while ensuring the FCC serves all Americans,” the president stated.
Prior to his confirmation, Carr indicated to News Nation’s Chris Cuomo that he aimed to dismantle what he called a “censorship cartel” involving social media, government, and conventional media.
“We’ve witnessed a notable increase in censorship lately, particularly over the past few years,” Carr expressed, listing it as a priority to tackle this issue.
When did Carr become FCC chair?
Carr’s journey to FCC leadership culminated a 13-year association with the agency. At 46, he started as a staff member in 2012 and served as legal counsel for then-commissioner Ajit Pai from 2014 to 2017.
When Trump appointed Pai as FCC chair in January 2017, Carr ascended to the role of advisor.
In June 2017, Trump nominated Carr for a six-year term, which the Senate confirmed in August. He was reappointed by President Biden in 2023, extending his term to 2029.
Throughout his tenure, Carr has been a vocal critic of major tech firms and television networks, particularly as the 2024 elections approach. He took issue with Vice President Harris’s appearance on “Saturday Night Live,” claiming it was an attempt to bypass FCC regulations, and ensuring rival candidates received fair airtime.
NBC responded by airing a brief segment featuring Trump.
What was Carr’s contribution to Project 2025?
Carr contributed to the FCC agenda for Project 2025, a policy framework intended for a potential future Trump administration, developed by the conservative Heritage Foundation.
In this project, Carr advocated for the repeal of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996.
“The courts have broadly interpreted Section 230, granting some of the largest corporations significant immunity absent from the text of the statute,” he wrote. “This interpretation undermines the limitations on the actions internet companies can take while they continue to reap benefits from Section 230.”
