Jimmy Kimmel took aim at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and former President Donald Trump during his Thursday night monologue, expressing his concerns about what he described as an effort to suppress free speech. He specifically called out FCC chair Brendan Carr, labeling him as Trump’s “little ferret” and accusing him of leading a “Brendan Carrtel” that threatens to silence dissenting voices in the media.
Kimmel’s remarks were particularly pointed as he addressed the FCC’s recent decision to enforce “equal time” rules for talk shows, stating that the commission has shifted away from a long-standing exemption that allowed greater flexibility in political guest appearances. This move, he argued, is aimed at limiting perspectives that do not align with those of the current administration.
“The way every talk show has operated until this week is now under threat,” Kimmel stated. “Brendan Carr, who is trying to shut us up ‘the easy way or the hard way,’ is taking steps to ensure that viewpoints that aren’t his will have a harder time getting air time. This is a blatant attack on free speech, and it’s absurd.”
The comedian highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the implications of these actions, remarking, “I have no idea what the outcome of this is going to be.” He emphasized that this situation serves as a reminder of the administration’s ongoing efforts to suppress voices that challenge its narrative.
Kimmel concluded his monologue with a humorous segment showcasing the awkwardness of censored moments from Trump and others, illustrating the ongoing tension between humor, free speech, and political expression in contemporary media.