Yesterday, ABC News announced that it would be taking late night TV host Jimmy Kimmel off the air indefinitely after being extorted by Trump’s FCC to address Kimmel’s commentary on the MAGA politicization of the Charlie Kirk assassination. This isn’t the first time Trump has weaponized the power of his office to target the free press. Throughout his second term, Trump has cracked down on dissent and launched an all-out assault on free speech, using every tool at his disposal ranging from withholding federal funding, pushing multi-billion dollar lawsuits, and even threatening to pull broadcasting licenses. Donald Trump is relentlessly abusing his power to benefit himself and his rich and powerful friends at the expense of Americans’ First Amendment rights.
BACKGROUND
- Trump sued the Wall Street Journal and Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch.
- Trump overhauled the FCC, installing a far-right Project 2025 architect to lead the commissions.
- The Trump administration pressured CBS News not to edit ‘Face the Nation’ interviews after fact-checking DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
- The Trump administration threatened to punish the media for publishing leaks by wielding the Espionage Act.
- Trump sued Paramount over a supposedly biased ‘60 Minutes’ interview with his political opponent Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign cycle.
- Trump’s FCC held the company’s merger with Skydance hostage until after Paramount settled with Trump for $16 million. After approving the merger, Skydance pledged to heed Trump’s agenda to “eliminate DEI,” and promised to install an ‘ombudsman’ to root out so-called ‘bias’ at CBS News
- Trump threatened to revoke NBC and ABC’s broadcasting licenses over unfavorable news coverage of his administration.
- Trump dismantled NPR and PBS, signing a bill codifying an earlier executive order slashing funding and canceling $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
- The Trump gutted Voice of America, a government-funded global media outlet.
LATEST HEADLINES
- Axios: Media’s MAGA makeover.
- NOTUS: FCC Chair Threatens ABC Over Jimmy Kimmel Comments.
- The New York Times: ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel Off Air for Charlie Kirk Comments After F.C.C. Pressure.
- Politico: Deputy AG Todd Blanche says ‘organized’ Trump protesters could be investigated.
- The Washington Post: House Republicans threaten to cancel anyone who disparages Charlie Kirk.
- Politico: ‘That is not the law’: Bondi promised to target ‘hate speech.’ She’s facing backlash from all corners.
- New York Daily News: Trump threatens to ‘go after’ ABC’s Jonathan Karl in Kirk crackdown.
- Semafor: Republicans split over Trump’s crackdown on liberal groups, political speech.
- The New York Times: Trump Invokes Kirk’s Killing in Justifying Measures to Silence Opponents.
- NOTUS: Trump Walks Republicans Into a Free Speech Quagmire.
- Popular Information: Republicans celebrate Kirk as free speech champion, demand critics be fired.
- Politico: Washington Post columnist says she was fired for social media posts after Kirk was killed.
- Axios: Republicans embrace speech limits.
- NBC News: Trump files $15 billion lawsuit against New York Times over campaign coverage.