WASHINGTON — Federal regulators are weighing a potential probe into late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over remarks about the suspect in the killing of Charlie Kirk, according to statements attributed to a senior official at the Federal Communications Commission.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr told podcaster Benny Johnson that he was considering an investigation into Kimmel and ABC over remarks the star made about Tyler Robinson, 22, in the wake of Kirk’s death at a meeting in Orem, Utah. The remarks followed a case in which prosecutors say the suspect was charged with capital murder but had reportedly expressed political leanings that diverged from the asserted narrative. Carr’s comments suggest a broader scrutiny of how broadcast outlets frame alleged violence and the potential implications for public discourse on political matters.
Prosecutors say the suspect, Tyler Robinson, is charged with capital murder in the Kirk case, and investigators have indicated the individual actually held leftist leanings. The case has drawn attention to how public figures discuss high-profile crimes and the potential for mischaracterization when political ideologies are invoked in the immediate aftermath.
Investigators have also said the suspect had a transgender girlfriend and appeared to dislike Kirk because of anti-LGBT views attributed to the public figure. The notes describe a pattern of remarks and online chatter that raised questions about the influence of public rhetoric on real-world violence, though prosecutors have not linked any specific statements by Kimmel to the crime.
The FCC’s warning comes amid a broader political-legal context, including a high-profile settlement involving ABC in late 2024. The notes indicate ABC settled with former President Donald Trump for about $16 million after comments by Good Morning America host George Stephanopoulos asserting that Trump had been civilly liable for the rape of writer E. Jean Carroll. The notes add that the president had actually been found liable for the sexual abuse of Carroll in a separate context, according to the cited materials.
Developing story; updates will follow as authorities review the facts and determine whether regulatory action is warranted.