1 hour ago
Last Updated:September 19, 2025, 09:57 IST
Donald Trump warned TV broadcasters that they could lose their licences for negative coverage of his administration. His remarks followed ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show.
A file photo of US President Donald Trump (AP)
Donald Trump has warned TV broadcasters against negative coverage of his administration, saying that they could lose their licences if they indulge in such practices.
The move comes hours after Walt Disney-owned broadcaster ABC on Wednesday announced it was suspending the late-night comedy show ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ after the host’s remarks on assassinated right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
The US President celebrated the show’s suspension, and during his state visit to Britain, Trump on Thursday called Kimmel untalented and denounced him for saying a “horrible thing about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk."
As he returned to the United States, the President, while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, complained about receiving bad publicity from broadcasters.
“That’s something that should be talked about for licensing," he said, adding, “All they do is hit Trump."
“I would think maybe their licence should be taken away," the US President said. “It will be up to (Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission of the United States) Brendan Carr."
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has used his office and the courts to attack unflattering speech about him that he has called defamatory or false.
Throughout both his terms, Trump has threatened to rescind licences for local broadcast affiliates of the national networks, licences that are approved by the Federal Communications Commission, a nominally independent regulatory body.
THE JIMMY KIMMEL CONTROVERSY
Kimmel has been embroiled in the effort by Trump and his supporters to punish critics of assassinated right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot while speaking to a crowd at a Utah university on September 10.
Since then, allies of Trump and Kirk have warned Americans to properly mourn the divisive figure or face the consequences.
ABC suspended Kimmel’s show following conservative uproar over his Monday monologue.
Writers, performers, former US President Barack Obama and others condemned Kimmel’s suspension, calling it capitulation to unconstitutional government pressure.
About 150 demonstrators gathered on Thursday outside the Hollywood studio where “Jimmy Kimmel Live!" is recorded to protest the decision to suspend the show.
In the week since Kirk’s murder, Kimmel is the most famous American to face professional blowback for comments condemned by conservatives as disrespectful of Kirk, alongside media figures, academic workers, teachers and corporate employees.
ALSO READ | Erica Kirk Vows To Continue Charlie Kirk’s Legacy As New Turning Point USA CEO
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
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First Published:
September 19, 2025, 09:18 IST
News world 'Their Licence Should Be Taken Away': Trump Warns Broadcasters Against Negative Coverage
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