Fri Sep 19 18:30:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Republican Senator Ted Cruz has strongly criticized FCC Chairman Brendan Carr for his comments regarding Jimmy Kimmel before ABC pulled his show. Cruz accused Carr of threatening to revoke ABC’s broadcast license due to Kimmel’s remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death. Cruz sees Carr’s remarks as akin to a mob threat, contrasting with President Trump’s support of Carr and celebration of Kimmel’s suspension. While Cruz dislikes Kimmel’s views, he warns against government censorship, even of opposing voices. Carr stated that ABC has an obligation to operate in the public interest.

**News Article:**

**Cruz Accuses FCC Chair Carr of ‘Mafia-Style’ Threat Against ABC Over Kimmel Comments**

**Washington, D.C.** – Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has launched a blistering attack on Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, accusing him of threatening ABC’s broadcast license in response to Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Cruz, in a Friday episode of his podcast, “Verdict with Ted Cruz,” directly quoted Carr’s statement – “We can do this the easy way or the hard way” – and likened it to a scene from the movie “Goodfellas,” portraying it as a mafia-style threat. “That’s right out of a mafioso coming into a bar going, ‘Nice bar you have here, it’d be a shame if something happened to it,'” Cruz said.

The controversy arose after Kimmel made comments on his show suggesting the MAGA gang is 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. Prior to ABC pulling Kimmel’s show, Carr criticized Kimmel for these statements during an appearance on a right-wing podcast. Carr stated that ABC has a license granted by the FCC and, “when you see stuff like this, I mean, look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way…these companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or you know, there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”

The Texas senator’s comments put him at odds with former President Donald Trump, who praised Kimmel’s suspension and hailed Carr as “outstanding.” While Cruz admitted he was “thrilled” about Kimmel’s suspension, he cautioned against government censorship of the media, even of those with opposing viewpoints. “If the government gets in the business of saying we don’t say 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 argued.

ABC has suspended, but not fired, Kimmel. The network has not commented on Carr’s remarks or Cruz’s accusations. The FCC has also not released an official comment.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Read More