At the 96th Academy Awards, show host Jimmy Kimmel made controversial remarks linking Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer to Trump’s movement, leading to “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” being pulled off ABC indefinitely by Walt Disney Co. This move, following CBS’ cancellation of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” raises concerns about free speech in a Trump-era broadcast environment. Trump criticized Kimmel, calling for his firing.

President Trump’s pressure on media companies, including Kimmel, ABC, and Disney, has intensified during his second term. The FCC approved the Paramount and Skydance merger despite dissent from Commissioner Anna Gomez, who criticized the government’s interference with media companies. Trump’s actions against media mergers, including AT&T’s, have raised concerns about censorship and control.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr suggested ABC’s broadcast license was at risk due to Kimmel’s comments, hinting at potential regulatory consequences. Trump’s Truth Social platform called for ABC and NBC to lose their licenses for biased coverage. Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair also preempted “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” indefinitely, seeking accountability and professionalism from ABC. Trump’s history of defamation lawsuits against media companies adds to the ongoing tensions.

Read more at CNBC: Trump pressure on the media mounting