WASHINGTON — FCC Chair Brendan Carr defended ABC affiliates' decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live after the late-night host's monologue that mocked Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, saying broadcast licenses carry a public-interest obligation that cable networks do not. In an appearance on Fox News' Hannity, Carr noted that local affiliate groups such as Nexstar and Sinclair acted to stand up for community standards when they removed the show. The remarks followed Kimmel's comments about conservatives deflecting responsibility in the case involving the arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Charlie Kirk's killing.
Carr said broadcasters are different from other media because their licenses include a public-interest mandate. He described the affiliate actions as unprecedented and noted that Nexstar and Sinclair told a national programmer that its content no longer met community needs and values. Nexstar is awaiting FCC approval on a multibillion-dollar acquisition, and hours later Disney confirmed that ABC would suspend Kimmel's program indefinitely.
Disney's suspension drew swift reaction from civil rights groups. The ACLU criticized the move, arguing that federal pressure to silence critics poses a significant threat to First Amendment freedoms. The group cited statements from its democracy and technology director regarding the broader implications for online and broadcast speech.
Carr tied the action to market realities, saying late-night programs have shifted toward politics and away from broad audiences. He argued that ratings drive decisions and that the market will determine the fate of such programs.
The ACLU and other critics argued the step highlights regulatory concerns about political content and media influence in programming. The group's comments added to a broader debate about the balance between public-interest obligations and freedom of expression in the media landscape.
Nexstar's pending acquisition is part of the backdrop to the dispute, with the company awaiting FCC approval while it and other groups consider next steps. Carr said the FCC intends to reinvigorate enforcement of the public-interest obligation to curb perceived partisan overreach in programming.
Observers say the episode underscores ongoing tensions between entertainment and politics in U.S. media, and the role regulators play in mediating that balance. The case remains a flashpoint in the broader national conversation about political content and accountability for broadcasters.
