The FCC is signaling potential immediate action against Jimmy Kimmel, ABC, and parent company Disney, with Chairman Brendan Carr blasting what he calls “malicious lies” about the murder of Charlie Kirk. Carr said the late-night host deliberately misled viewers by claiming Kirk’s assassin was a MAGA Conservative, calling the statement “truly sick.”
Carr made clear the FCC has a “strong case” to hold Kimmel, ABC, and Disney accountable for spreading what he described as dangerous, politically motivated misinformation.
He suggested penalties could range from Kimmel’s suspension to ABC facing scrutiny of its broadcast license.
“This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney,” Carr said during an appearance with podcaster Benny Johnson. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
Brendan Carr emphasized that ABC and its affiliates must meet obligations tied to their licenses. “They have a license granted by us at the FCC, and that comes with it an obligation to operate in the public interest,” he said.
Calls for Kimmel’s firing have circulated in recent days, but Carr stopped short of demanding termination. “I think you could certainly see a path forward for suspension over this,” he noted, adding that the Commission could argue Kimmel’s remarks were “an intentional effort to mislead the American people about a very core fundamental fact.”
Commissioner Carr also pointed to the responsibility of Disney-owned ABC affiliates across the country to push back against content that undermines trust.
“Disney needs to see some change here,” he said. “But the individual licensed stations that are taking their content, it’s time for them to step up and say this garbage isn’t something that we think serves the needs of our local communities.”
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