Jimmy Kimmel was unfortunate to broadcast his last episode following a merge of unintended statements regarding Charlie Kirk’s assassin, which led to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) threatening the ABC’s broadcast license. This event only delineates a nadir in the current government’s approach to freedom of speech. The concept of free speech is an integral piece of the United States Constitution which periodically faces trials. One could look back at the 1918 instance, when Eugene V. Debs got arrested for breaching a rushed federal law that basically prohibited anti-war speech.
In the mid-20th century, notably the 50s and 60s, the notable civil rights figure, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was subjected to a series of unwarranted arrests instigated by Southern officials aimed at silencing his advocacy for racial equality. Post the tragic events of 9/11 in 2001, former President George W. Bush took the stand to bring justice to those behind the terror act by vowing to ‘hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts.’ However, Bill Maher, who hosted the ABC late-night show Politically Incorrect critiqued Bush’s stance by stating that America was the real coward, launching cruise missiles from a distance of 2000 miles.
The true face of bravery according to Maher, was the act of remaining in the airplane as it crashed into a building – an act he labeled as not cowardly. Currently, our nation’s right to freely express oneself is under threat, more than ever. Donald Trump started his term as President by threatening legal firms and educational institutions. Students from abroad studying in colleges were detained and held captive due to their viewpoints on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
With Charlie Kirk’s unfortunate assassination, the administration is also capitalizing on the event as a weapon to suppress the voices of their critics. Vice President J.D. Vance took over the podcast originally hosted by Kirk in the aftermath of his demise. Vance pleaded with his listeners to call out anyone celebrating Kirk’s murder, and even urged them to inform the employers of those individuals. Though celebrating such a heinous act is reprehensible, it is not illegal, and a government official doesn’t possess the right to sabotage the livelihoods of those who harbor unfavorable opinions.
In a public monologue, Kimmel remarked on the new lows the MAGA supporters had reached in their desperate attempts to portray Kirk’s murderer as someone other than one of their own, while also exploiting the incident for political gain. What followed was Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr issuing an ultimatum to ABC to immediately remove Kimmel from the broadcast. Carr delivered this or else stance, stressing that ABC could either choose to alter their conduct and actions regarding Kimmel or face additional work from the FCC.
Post ABC’s swift compliance to the ultimatum, Carr openly announced, ‘We at the FCC are going to enforce the public interest obligation. Those broadcasters that object could always return their license to the FCC.’ The current President, Donald Trump, expressed his full support for Carr, celebrating the suspension of the Kimmel show. This event showcases dictatorial tendencies, blatantly defying the constitution and the First Amendment.
All conservative and libertarian factions who have protested ‘cancel culture’ as enacted by progressive users across social media platforms in the last decade, along with comedians fearing the risk to joke, should now realize the severity of the present situation. The fact that the United States’ President is encouraging the ruin of careers and businesses of those who choose to joke about him should evoke fear and anger in the masses.
On the other hand, the Congressional Democrats responded to this event by demanding Carr’s resignation and proposing a bill to establish a legal defense fund for individuals negatively impacted by government interference due to their speech. This reaction, while a step in the right direction, overlooks the underlying issue: the abuse of federal power to infringe on freedom of speech, which is an open violation of the Constitution.
While Carr’s resignation is certainly warranted, the problem doesn’t stop with him. President Trump, who is also a part of this free speech infringement, should be held accountable. Mild requests for resignations won’t suffice anymore. The situation demands a stronger action, such as the impeachment of both Carr and Trump.
The scenario of Trump & Carr against Kimmel is straightforward. It is utterly unacceptable for individuals appointed by Trump to the FCC to intimidate TV stations over humor. Advocates of free speech should not overlook this episode, which threatens the basics of a functioning democracy and the constitutional values it upholds.
The post Controversial Suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Show Amid Political Chaos appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
