President Donald Trump has seized on the suspension of comedian Jimmy Kimmel, celebrating the move while Democrats rally behind new legislation aimed at protecting free speech.
Trump, writing on his Truth Social platform Thursday, mocked Kimmel after ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live from its programming. “He made a total FOOL of himself,” Trump posted, alongside a clip from last year’s Academy Awards in which Kimmel mocked him. Earlier, the president claimed Kimmel was “fired” for making a “horrible” remark about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was recently killed.
Speaking to reporters upon his return from the United Kingdom, Trump suggested that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should reconsider the licences of broadcasters who, in his words, “hit Trump.” He added, “It will be up to [FCC Chair] Brendan Carr.” Legal experts, however, note that federal law prevents the FCC from revoking a licence based on political criticism.
Kimmel’s suspension followed a monologue in which he accused “the MAGA gang” of exploiting Kirk’s death for political purposes. Soon after, FCC Chair Carr hinted during a podcast that Disney-owned ABC’s licence could be at risk, calling it a “very serious issue” tied to broadcasters’ obligation to serve the public interest.
Trump doubled down on Wednesday, calling for NBC to suspend late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers. “That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!” he wrote.
The episode has sparked backlash from Democratic lawmakers, who on Thursday introduced the No Political Enemies Act. The proposed legislation seeks to prevent government officials from retaliating against individuals or institutions for speech and would give citizens legal tools to resist such actions. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, announcing the measure, called for Carr’s resignation from the FCC, accusing Trump of weaponising federal agencies against critics.
“Political violence has no place in America,” Schumer said, “but the Trump administration’s campaign of threats against free speech is an assault on everything this country has stood for since the Constitution was signed.”
While the bill faces steep odds in the Republican-controlled Congress, Democrats argue that Kimmel’s suspension highlights a dangerous precedent in the escalating clash between politics, media, and free expression.
Africa Digital News, New York
