18 Sep 2025 4:52 pm
He went on to say, "we can do this the easy way or the hard way."
After Kimmel's show was suspended shortly after those remarks, Carr said he was glad to see broadcasters standing up for the interests of their communities.
Trump said during a news conference on Thursday that Kimmel was fired for low ratings.//////////////a lie/////////////////////////
"So, you know, you can call that free speech or not. He was fired for lack of talent," Trump said, opens new tab.WHAT SPEECH IS PROTECTED?The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects free speech and other rights against government interference. Courts have said that protection includes rights against the government pressuring third parties to engage in censorship.
In a key ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court in 1963 said the government cannot create a "system of informal censorship" by pressuring private actors.
That case involved a Rhode Island agency that had threatened prosecution against book and magazine distributors who did not stop selling specific publications it had deemed objectionable. 'So installing electric chargers, putting in the infrastructure, and then we can work on policies to try and increase the electric vehicle fleet on the island.'
The Supreme Court last year said that in such cases, plaintiffs must show that the government went beyond permissible attempts to persuade and that its conduct caused them direct harm.
The court in that case refused to impose limits on President Joe Biden's administration encouraging social media platforms to remove posts deemed to contain misinformation, including about elections and COVID.AREN'T OFFICIALS FREE TO CRITICIZE KIMMEL?Yes. Trump often disparages comedians and entertainers who speak out about his policies, which is permissible.
However, government authorities cannot use their authority to suppress speech.
Legal claims would likely hinge on whether Carr was threatening ABC's broadcast license.
After Carr spoke on Wednesday, Nexstar Media Group <NXST.O> said it would stop airing Kimmel's show on its 32 ABC affiliates.
Nexstar needs FCC approval for its $6.2 billion deal to acquire smaller rival Tegna , and Carr thanked Nexstar for "doing the right thing."