Does Trump get to choose what we watch on TV? Kimmel suspension should scare you

But the choices are getting fewer, seemingly thanks to President Donald Trump.

ABC announced on Wednesday, Sept. 17, that it was "indefinitely" pulling "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," the network's long-running late-night talk show, off the air following comments Kimmel made about the arrested suspect in the fatal shooting of conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk. 

ABC's decision came after Kimmel's comments were maligned by Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, and after broadcaster Nexstar pulled the show from its affiliates over the remarks.

Donald Trump at the U.S. Open in September 2025 and Jimmy Kimmel in 2024. Kimmel's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" was pulled off the air Sept. 17 after comments from Trump's FCC chairman.

The decision has rocked the entertainment industry and captured the attention of a nation divided, as the conversation about Kirk's death becomes more contentious. 

Trump added more fuel to the fire in a press gaggle on Thursday, Sept. 18, with a suggestion that TV networks that cover him negatively could have their broadcast licenses revoked.

“They're 97% against ‒ they give me only bad publicity or press," Trump claimed to reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew back to the United States from the United Kingdom. "I mean, they’re getting a license. I would think maybe their license should be taken away. It will be up to Brendan Carr."

National television networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox are not granted licenses by the FCC. Instead, the FCC issues licenses to individual local broadcast affiliates authorizing the stations to use public airwaves.

Kimmel is not the first to be reprimanded or potentially lose a job over saying something publicly related to Kirk. But ABC's quickness to pull Kimmel off the air following public pressure from the Trump administration is chilling to anyone who works in comedy and entertainment, and should be equally disturbing for anyone who believes we should get to choose who to watch and listen to from the comfort of our own homes.

FCC chairman Brendan Carr says 'we're not done yet'

The traditional role of the FCC in regulating network television has been reserved for extreme instances of obscenity, regulating business dealings and enforcing relevant laws. Making specific criticisms and threats over a few seconds on one TV show is beyond unusual. But perhaps not anymore.

“I do think that again, we are in the midst of a massive shift in dynamics in the media ecosystem for lots of reasons, again, including the permission structure that President Trump’s election has provided,” FCC chief Carr said in an interview with CNBC's Squawk Box on Thursday Sept. 18.

“And I would simply say we’re not done yet with seeing the consequences of that,” he said.

“The issue that arose here, where lots and lots of people were upset, was not a joke,” Carr added. “It was appearing to directly mislead the American public about a significant factthat probably one of the most significant political events we’ve had in a long time.

" However, it was only after the episode aired that more detailed evidence and information officially was released to the public about the shooter's political ideology and potential motive.

In his Sept. 15 monologue, Kimmel said, "We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it."

Tyler Robinson, 22, was identified as the suspect on Sept. 12 and there was a flurry of speculation about Robinson's politics because of the conservative part of Utah where he grew up. 

By Sunday, Sept. 14, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox began hinting that Robinson's politics were different than his family's, saying on NBC's "Meet the Press" that Robinson had a "leftist ideology.

" The governor said while Robinson was not cooperative, investigators had spoken with his family and his live-in partner, who Cox described as transitioning from male to female.

Still, before Monday, Sept. 15, the day in which Kimmel would have filmed his episode, authorities were not making definitive statements about Robinson's political ideology.

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, a court filing was released that included comments from Robinson's mother who said that, despite being raised in a conservative home, her son's politics had pivoted to the left in recent years. The filing also included text messages from Robinson and his roommate that further illuminated the case.

Jimmy Kimmel delivers the opening monologue during the 96th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles on March 10, 2024.

Corporations will have to be the ones to stand up to free speech threats

Jimmy Kimmel has had a show on ABC since 2003. He's not just the host of one show; ABC and its parent company Disney have invested in the comedian as one of the faces of the brand, down to Kimmel literally representing them at presentations to advertisers and selling their content.

He has hosted the Oscars on ABC four times − only Johnny Carson, Billy Crystal and Bob Hope have had that gig for more go-rounds. 

He is also the host of ABC's "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and has created "Live in Front of a Studio Audience" for the network, a series of specials recreating classic episodes of television from shows such as "The Jeffersons" and "All in the Family." "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" also promoted numerous network shows over the years.

But apparently none of that mattered as much as threats from the FCC, the ire of affiliate owner Nexstar (itself seeking regulatory approval from the Trump administration for a merger) and the general toxic conversation about Kirk.

ABC's decision could be, in part, about money, but the finances are complicated. A fine from the FCC could be costly, but officially firing Kimmel could be costly, too. 

The comedian has a contract through 2026, according to reports, which may not be easily broken. Even if ABC can offload Kimmel without financial penalties, the cancellation could cost them advertising dollars. 

"Jimmy Kimmel Live!" is in second place in its time slot among viewers overall, and first place among ages 18 to 49, a key demographic that advertisers care about.

In the same interview with CNBC, Carr said he wasn't trying to get all the late night comedians off the air. But his threats were quick and had an immediate response. 

Will Hollywood writers live in fear of their own cancellations if they upset those in power? Can the other late night comedians say what they think and believe now? Can "Law & Order: SVU" rip any cases from the headlines? 

Can "South Park" continue to criticize and satirize Trump? Can "SNL," which returns Oct. 4, do a cold open that even mentions Kirk?

Kimmel's unceremonious suspension comes days after Hollywood celebrated the best and brightest in TV at the 2025 Emmy Awards. 

Stephen Colbert, a prominent Trump critic with his own recently canceled show, received a standing ovation when he presented an award and later returned to the stage to accept an Emmy. 

Stars wore pins supporting a ceasefire in Gaza on the red carpet. Best supporting actress in a comedy winner Hannah Einbinder said "(Expletive) ICE" and "Free Palestine" in her acceptance speech.

Comedians, actors, filmmakers and musicians have long exercised their rights to free speech and the benefits of their large platforms to speak out for causes they believe in and to promote one political agenda or another. 

While there has long been a stereotype that Hollywood is all liberal, plenty of conservative celebrities also routinely make their political opinions known. But one group may be a bit more hesitant than the other after this uproar.