Brendan Carr, the Trump-appointed chairman of the FCC, is set to appear before the Senate Commerce Committee to testify about his role in Jimmy Kimmel Live!’s suspension that sent shockwaves through the industry. Carr previously spoke out on a conservative podcast, where he threatened to investigate claims of “news distortion” against ABC affiliates prior to Kimmel’s suspension.
There is yet to be a date for Carr’s appearance.
Brendan Carr to testify in front of Senate Committee about Jimmy Kimmel Suspension
Brendan Carr had threatened to investigate claims of “news distortion” against ABC affiliates unless they took Kimmel off the air. This threat may have pushed ABC to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely. Carr’s comments and threat, however, garnered backlash from Senator Ted Cruz and others for their potential impact on free speech.
Carr said on the podcast, following Kimmel’s comments about Charlie Kirk’s death and the angle conservatives took on the matter, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct and take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
Sinclair and Nexstar soon decided to suspend Kimmel’s show. Carr even celebrated the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
As the matter gathered heat, Carr downplayed his role in the suspension last week. He said that he never threatened to revoke broadcasters’ licenses.
Senator Cruz, meanwhile, discussed the situation on Verdict with Ted Cruz. He said he was glad Kimmel was fired, which he was not. But he added, “That will end up bad for conservatives. There will come a time when a Democrat wins again, wins the White House. They will get rid of everything America that’s conservative.”
Other senators, including Adam Schiff, also raised questions about Carr’s role in Kimmel’s suspension, examining the broader implications for free speech in the country.
On September 26, 2025, Sinclair and Nexstar announced they were ending their preemption of Jimmy Kimmel Live!. The show is now back on air.
Originally reported by Sourav Chakraborty on ComingSoon.
