The Briefing with Jen Psaki

Episode: "Bigger than Kimmel: Psaki shows what's really behind the comedian's suspension"

Date: September 19, 2025
Host: Jen Psaki, MSNBC

Episode Overview

Jen Psaki tackles the underlying motives and far-reaching consequences behind ABC's indefinite suspension of comedian Jimmy Kimmel, dissecting why this issue extends beyond one late-night host. Through sharp analysis and expert interviews, Psaki unpacks how Trump-era politics, the FCC, and major media conglomerates collide in the suppression of dissent and the consolidation of media power. With guest insights from Reps. Robert Garcia and Maxwell Frost, activist Stacey Abrams, and dissident Garry Kasparov, this episode connects current events to global authoritarian trends and offers paths for resistance.

Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. The Real Story Behind the Kimmel Suspension

[01:08]–[05:38]

• Opening Context:
  Psaki wonders “If Jimmy Kimmel had a show tonight...” and mocks Trump’s gaffes, highlighting that late-night comedy holds power precisely because it satirizes leadership (“You are in fact allowed to [criticize the President], actually.” – Jen Psaki, [05:38]).
• Trigger Event:
  Kimmel’s show was pulled after Trump and his FCC Chair suggested (publicly) that networks “should have [their] license taken away” for criticism ([04:27] Trump).
• Deeper Implications:
  Psaki ties the decision not to Kimmel’s monologue content but to a climate of intimidation from the White House and the leverage the FCC holds over networks seeking regulatory favors.

Notable Quote

• “I mean, Trump is basically saying, there sure is a nice network TV station you have there. Would be a shame if something bad were to happen to it...”
  — Jen Psaki, [05:01]

2. Media Power, Corporate Consolidation, and Political Pressure

[05:38]–[13:22]

• Business Dynamics:
  Nexstar and Sinclair, giant media conglomerates owning hundreds of local stations, called for Kimmel’s ouster—coincidentally while seeking multi-billion dollar mergers requiring FCC approval.
  “They have a $6 billion reason to stay in the good graces of Trump and his hand-picked guy at the FCC.” ([05:38]–[08:59], Psaki)
• Sinclair as Precedent:
  Recounts Sinclair’s 2018 mandated politically slanted scripts—showing what happens when local journalism loses independence ([08:59]–[09:31]).
• Broad Networks:
  Trump cronies now influence or control not just TV news (via Nexstar, Sinclair, Ellison’s acquisition of Paramount and attempt for Warner Brothers Discovery/ CNN), but also major social media platforms (Oracle, Twitter, TikTok).
• Broader Impact:
  Public radio (e.g., WPSU) and BBC/NPR stations shutter as pro-Trump outlets fill “news deserts” ([12:28]), centralizing information further.
• State Media Atmosphere:
  Press briefings increasingly favor sycophantic queries, undermining journalistic accountability ([13:22]–[14:02]).

Notable Quotes

• “This story is way bigger than Jimmy Kimmel. Trump is using his power as president to help the people who are willing to do what he wants, control more and more of America’s media...”
  — Jen Psaki, [11:37]
• “It creeps me out every time I see it. It feels like it’s from some sort of AI horror right wing movie...”
  — Jen Psaki on Sinclair's propaganda, [09:31]

3. Congressional Pushback and the Machinery of Oversight

Interview with Reps. Maxwell Frost & Robert Garcia — [18:20]–[25:54]

• Oversight Investigation:
  The House Oversight Committee launches a probe into ABC, Sinclair, and the FCC for “potentially violating the First Amendment” ([18:20]–[21:07]).
• Corporate Self-Interest:
  Garcia and Frost assert that conglomerates caved not for principles, but to preserve lucrative deals dependent on FCC and DOJ goodwill.
• Bipartisan Tension:
  Efforts to get FCC Chair Carr to testify are underway; some Republicans cooperate as pressure grows from constituents on issues like the Epstein files ([22:39], [25:54]).
• Pattern of Authoritarian Drift:
  Both representatives echo concerns about slow, incremental rights erosion:

  “It’s a slow trickle of taking away rights... until one day you wake up and ask, ‘where have our rights gone?’”
  — Rep. Garcia, [24:25]

4. What Can Citizens Do? Lessons From Organizers

Interview with Stacey Abrams — [28:13]–[34:26]

• US Hitting Every "Step" to Authoritarianism:
  Abrams’ “10 Steps to Autocracy” campaign argues all benchmarks of democratic erosion are now met in America ([30:33]).
• Actionable Steps:
  She advocates awareness, organizing, mobilizing (including boycotts like “Cancel Disney+” trending in protest), litigation, and electoral engagement.
• Small Actions Matter:
  “Pick one thing, call a few friends. It doesn’t have to be an enormous thing. It starts with one step.”
  — Stacey Abrams, [34:26]

Notable Quotes

• “We are in the middle of a hostile government takeover... but that we still have a way out, and we can’t find our way out if we don’t acknowledge where we are.”
  — Stacey Abrams, [30:33]
• “There are 10 steps to freedom and power.”
  — Stacey Abrams, [32:18]

5. Global Perspective: Early Warnings from Authoritarian States

Interview with Garry Kasparov — [40:32]–[45:00]

• Comedy as a First Target:
  Kasparov links the shuttering of Russia’s 1990s puppet show satire “Kukli” (which mocked Yeltsin and early Putin) to today’s crackdown on American late-night hosts.

• How Authoritarianism Creep Works:
  Erosion is gradual: “It’s like death by a thousand cuts... under the disguise of legality and, of course, ‘public interest.’” ([42:05])

• The Warning for Americans:
  Cautions not to rely on “the Constitution defending itself”—calls for mass mobilization, especially targeting Congress, the true lever against executive overreach:

  “The Constitution offers a good foundation to fight back for our freedom. But unless we recognize this is an existential... threat to American democracy, nothing will happen.”
  — Garry Kasparov, [42:05]

• Advice on Next Steps:
  Direct action (calls, pressure) on Congress, not just consumer boycotts.

Notable Quotes

• “Donald Trump doesn’t lose elections. Donald Trump doesn’t accept bad numbers. So even if the majority of the country voting one way, Donald Trump will not accept it.”
  — Garry Kasparov, [43:59]
• “Start making calls. Turn their [Congress’] lives into hell and make sure that they hear the voice of people.”
  — Garry Kasparov, [44:13]

Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps

• “It is pronounced Azerbaijan, sir, and I think you meant Armenia, not Albania. But listen, you’re only the leader of the free world. Good try.”
  — Jen Psaki, [01:39]

• “We're going to be reducing drug costs over the next year, year and a half, by not 50 or 60%, by 1000%. ...Math is hard.”
  — Donald Trump, [02:43] / Jen Psaki, [03:13]

• “These companies can... take action, frankly on Kimmel, or there's going to be additional work ahead for... the FCC.”
  — FCC Chair Brendan Carr, paraphrased by Psaki, [06:53]

• “You might know them as your local CBS station or ABC station, but most of the time those stations are not actually independent. They are owned by a conglomerate...”
  — Jen Psaki, [07:28]

• “Our greatest responsibility is to serve our Treasure Valley communities … We are extremely proud of the quality, balanced journalism…” [reciting Sinclair’s mandated script]
  — Jen Psaki & Garry Kasparov et al., [08:59]–[09:31]

• “This is the most corrupt president and administration in the history of the United States. And we have to say, enough.”
  — Rep. Robert Garcia, [23:28]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:08] Jen Psaki introduces the Kimmel suspension and Trump’s role.
• [02:43] Trump’s “1000%” drug price gaffe.
• [04:27], [05:26] Trump floats revoking network licenses; defines dissent as un-American.
• [07:28] Psaki explains Nexstar and Sinclair's business leverage.
• [09:31] Example of Sinclair’s 2018 forced anchor script.
• [13:22] Psaki spotlights state-media-like sycophancy in White House briefings.
• [18:20] Interview: Garcia and Frost on House Oversight investigation.
• [25:54] Garcia and Frost explain slow, incremental nature of democratic erosion.
• [28:13] Psaki previews public pushback/ boycotts after Disney/ABC moves.
• [30:33] Interview: Stacey Abrams on 10 Steps to Autocracy.
• [40:32] Interview: Garry Kasparov draws parallels to Russian media crackdowns.
• [43:59] Kasparov warns of the danger to U.S. elections and democracy.

Insights & Takeaways

• The apparent singular incident of Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension is a microcosm of a much larger authoritarian trend—leveraging regulatory, market, and legal pressure to silence critical voices across media.
• Structural consolidation of media (via Nexstar, Sinclair, Ellison's acquisition sprees) enables centralized control of local and national information.
• Crises are not about singular, flashy moments but incremental erosion—a “death by a thousand cuts.”
• U.S. democracy’s defense depends not on passive faith in the Constitution, but active engagement: organizing, pressuring Congress, supporting independent media, and refusing normalization.

Conclusion

Jen Psaki, with guests from Congress and international activism, persuasively argues that the current media crackdown is symptomatic of a broader autocratic shift. The Kimmel incident is a warning shot, not a one-off. As history shows, when power is consolidated and dissent is censored—even if through slow, “legal” means—the survival of free expression and democracy depends on everyday action, vigilance, and organized resistance.

For Listeners Wanting Action

• Learn and share: Visit resources like 10StepsCampaign.org (via Stacey Abrams) for both diagnostics and action steps.
• Contact Congress: Pressure your representatives—remind them their job is accountability, not complicity.
• Support independent journalism in your community.
• Refuse normalization—recognize early signs, act before it’s too late.