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Featured Image Credit: Getty/Kevin Dietsche
Topics: Donald Trump, Jimmy Kimmel, TV, Politics, US News
James Moorhouse
Topics: Donald Trump, Jimmy Kimmel, TV, Politics, US News
Donald Trump has issued a worrying warning to TV stations that oppose him after Jimmy Kimmel was suspended earlier this week.
The 57-year-old TV host lost his late-night comedy show on Wednesday, after facing backlash for his comments on the alleged Charlie Kirk shooter Tyler Robinson.
Although what he said was deemed to be 'insensitive and offensive', it was still a huge shock when ABC confirmed that Jimmy Kimmel: Live would be suspended indefinitely, while this evening's (Friday's) show will be replaced by a special remembrance programme dedicated to Kirk.
The decision has been met with huge backlash by fellow comedians and TV hosts, with Ben Stiller speaking out in support of Kimmel, while fellow TV host Jimmy Fallon reaffirmed that his coverage of the president would remain unchanged, despite a previous warning from Trump.
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But now, the 79-year-old has threatened to take away the license of any member of the press who gives him bad publicity.
Speaking after his state visit to the UK, Trump said: "I have read some place that the networks were 97 percent against me, again, 97 percent negative, and yet I won, and easily [in last year's election]."
"They give me only bad publicity [and] press. I mean, they're getting a licence. I would think maybe their licence should be taken away."
Despite being busy with banquets and biscuits over in England, it didn't stop the president from celebrating on Truth Social at 1am when the news of Kimmel's suspension first broke.
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He wrote: “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT."
Trump also suggested in a press conference when he arrived back in America that the 57-year-old had been fired for a 'lack of talent', although he has only been suspended.
It just so happens that Brendan Carr, the Federal Communications Commission chair, was nominated by Trump to take the position nine months ago, and he played a huge role in the suspension of Kimmel after taking aim at the comedian on a podcast.
He said: "[This] appears to be an action by Jimmy Kimmel to play into the narrative that this was somehow a MAGA or Republican-motivated person,” Carr said on a podcast. “What people don’t understand is that the broadcasters … have a license granted by us at the FCC, and that comes with it an obligation to operate in the public interest. When we see stuff like this, look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct, on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
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So, with Carr perhaps serving as a mouthpiece for Trump in a position of power within media regulations, it appears that the president will be able to silence whoever he pleases.
So much for freedom of speech.