Brendan Carr, Chairperson of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is directly targeting late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and has triggered a broadcast halt, sending ripples through the U.S. media industry. Some observers say the incident could expand the influence of regulators over political remarks on broadcasts.
Earlier, on 17th (local time), U.S. broadcaster ABC announced it would suspend its flagship late-night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, indefinitely. On the 15th broadcast, host Jimmy Kimmel said, "The MAGA group is trying to make the killer of Charlie Kirk look like someone unrelated to them," sparking controversy, and Nexstar, the media group that owns ABC, immediately drew its sword.
Nexstar's decision is seen as having been decisively influenced by FCC Chairperson Brendan Carr. Chairperson Carr urged punishment for Kimmel through multiple outlets right after the broadcast, warning on a conservative-leaning podcast, "ABC must take action," and "If distorted remarks are repeated, we can fine broadcasters or revoke their licenses," and telling Fox News, "You will see more of this pressure going forward," maintaining the squeeze. In the end, under this pressure, Nexstar declared a suspension of the program, saying it "strongly condemns Jimmy Kimmel's remarks."
Carr, 46, was appointed by President Donald Trump late last year and is widely seen as having consistently supported the president's agenda since taking office. His first connection with the FCC goes back to 2012, when, drawing on his experience as an attorney, he began working in the FCC's legal advisory unit. In 2017, during Trump's first term, he was nominated as an FCC Commissioner, and during that period he is said to have raised his profile by addressing 5G infrastructure expansion and issues involving telecommunications workers.
During the Joe Biden administration, he argued that big tech corporations were excessively discriminating against and censoring conservative figures and related content, acting as a voice for the Republican camp. That is why he is seen as having effectively lent strength to President Trump's return to power.
Even after becoming FCC Chairperson in January this year, he has wielded influence in the broadcasting industry as a close aide to President Trump. In particular, he has ramped up pressure on broadcast and telecommunications corporations by demanding the repeal of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies as conditions for merger and acquisition (M&A) approvals, and he exerted influence over major deals including the Paramount-Skydance merger and EchoStar's sale of spectrum licenses.
By law, the FCC does not have the authority to directly censor broadcast content, but it does have the authority to issue and renew broadcast licenses. In reality, the likelihood of the FCC directly revoking a license is extremely low, but broadcasters are said to be watching Chairperson Carr and taking preemptive steps. Especially after President Trump said following this incident that "Brendan Carr is a patriot and a man of backbone," there is growing speculation that Carr's authority will be tacitly expanded further.
Experts say Chairperson Carr's approach is closer to "soft power" than "hard power." Rather than imposing direct regulation, it is a method of prompting the industry to move on its own through remarks and signals. Andrew Schwartzman, counsel at the Benton Institute, analyzed the case as "a display of political influence that goes beyond the FCC's authority."