Washington, September 19(HS):

US President Donald Trump has suggested that television networks which he claims are biased against him should face losing their broadcast licenses, following the suspension of ABC’s late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. The suspension came after Kimmel’s controversial remarks about the recent murder of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, sparking widespread backlash.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One after concluding his UK state visit, Trump accused several networks of overwhelmingly negative coverage, stating, “I have read someplace that the networks were 97% against me… They give me only bad publicity… I would think maybe their licence should be taken away.” Trump’s remarks align with his long-standing criticism of the media as unfair and hostile towards him.

Kimmel was taken off air indefinitely by Disney-owned ABC after he accused the “MAGA gang” of politicizing Kirk’s killing. The ABC suspension followed pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), whose chairman Brendan Carr publicly backed the move and threatened further regulatory scrutiny against broadcasters that fail to act responsibly. Carr commended Nexstar Media for pulling Kimmel’s program and indicated other broadcasters should follow suit.

Despite FCC enforcement powers over major networks, experts stress constitutional protections under the First Amendment significantly limit the regulator’s ability to revoke licenses solely on political grounds. The controversy has sparked vigorous debate over free speech, media accountability, and political censorship.

Hollywood figures, including former President Barack Obama and numerous entertainers, condemned Kimmel’s suspension as censorship and a dangerous escalation of “cancel culture.” Late-night hosts rallied in his defense, while conservative commentators called for greater consequences for what they describe as biased and misleading commentary.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar