Podcast Summary: Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension and Trump’s FCC
The Journal. | Hosts: Ryan Knudsen & Jessica Mendoza
Date: September 19, 2025
Produced by The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios
Overview
This episode explores the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show after controversial monologues about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and unpacks the dramatic, politically charged dynamics now governing the relationship between major media companies, government regulators, and the Trump administration. Central to the episode are the powers wielded by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, the pressure exerted by local broadcast affiliates, and the escalating campaign by President Trump against the media. The hosts and reporters analyze what Kimmel’s suspension means for free speech, government intervention, and the culture wars affecting American business and entertainment.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Incident: Kimmel’s Monologue and Backlash
- Kimmel’s remarks: Jimmy Kimmel, as often, critiqued President Trump and commented on the “grieving process” following Charlie Kirk’s murder.
- Political timing: The monologue came at a moment when the conservative community was mourning Kirk, and was perceived by many on the right as crossing a line.
"Kimmel goes after Trump almost every day on his show. But this time, conservatives felt that his monologue took things too far."
— Ryan Knudsen [01:04]
2. Disney’s Suspension of Kimmel
- Public response: Disney (ABC’s parent company) suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live indefinitely, appearing to react to public and political pressure.
- Broader factors: Reporting reveals pressure extended beyond public outcry, featuring direct threats and regulatory leverage from the federal government.
"There are questions in here about what is free speech. There are questions about what is Trump doing to wield the federal government's power."
— Maggie Severns [01:34]
3. Brendan Carr and the FCC’s Role
- Carr’s narrative: Brendan Carr, FCC Chairman, accused Kimmel of misleading the public regarding the shooter’s political allegiance and labeled the monologue “sickest conduct possible.”
- Regulatory leverage: Carr implied that the FCC could make things difficult for broadcasters like ABC/Disney unless they acted against Kimmel.
"Look, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct... or there's going to be additional work for the FCC ahead."
— Brendan Carr (via Kimmel imitation/clip) [04:55]
- Background on Carr: Carr is described as a “Trump warrior,” an aggressive, vocal, and publicly partisan regulator, and a contributor to the controversial “Project 2025” Republican policy book.
- The 'public interest' standard: Carr’s approach marks a sharp departure from historical FCC impartiality, seeking to actively revoke licenses from broadcasters accused of “news distortion.” Historically, such revocations have been extremely rare.
"For decades, that public interest idea has basically kind of sat on the sidelines. ...Brendan Carr has said we should be looking at this."
— Maggie Severns [06:58]
4. Pressure from Broadcast Affiliates
- Affiliate action: Local station groups, particularly Nexstar and Sinclair (operating more than 60 ABC affiliates), announced they would not air Kimmel’s show, citing the “offensive and insensitive” comments about Kirk.
- Business context: Nexstar, seeking FCC approval on a multibillion-dollar deal, stressed it had no communication with the FCC regarding its decision but the timing suggests intense indirect pressure.
"Nexstar said that it was not going to carry Kimmel's show. ...Mr. Kimmel's comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national discourse."
— Maggie Severns [11:46]
- Sinclair’s move: Chose to air a special in Kirk’s memory rather than Kimmel.
- Carr’s approval: Carr praised these moves, linking them to “serving the interests of their community” rather than “progressive foie gras coming out from New York and Hollywood.”
[See quote below]
5. Inside Disney’s Calculus
- Escalating pressure: ABC/Disney leadership (including CEO Bob Iger) viewed affiliate revolt and public threats as major risks; there was concern that Kimmel’s planned Wednesday show would escalate matters.
- Safety concerns: Show staff reportedly received threats.
- Final decision: Disney elected to suspend the show, with Kimmel making no public statements.
6. Trump’s Response and Media Crackdown
- Trump celebrates: The President publicly celebrated Kimmel’s removal, called for further cancellations (specifically at NBC), and urged the FCC to consider revoking licenses from oppositional networks.
"They give me only bad publicity or press. I mean, they're getting a license. I would think maybe they're license should be taken away. It will be up to Brendan Carr."
— Donald Trump [14:40]
- Unprecedented regulatory alignment: Previous norm involved pushback by career officials. Now, Carr openly subscribes to Trump’s “unitary executive” theory, supporting presidential control of agencies that historically saw themselves as independent.
"Here what we have is a person who runs one of these agencies that used to see itself as independent saying, I don't believe that. And I'm happy to work with the President..."
— Maggie Severns [15:36]
7. Broader Business and Cultural Trends
- Business compliance: Severns highlights a broader trend of businesses quickly falling in line with Trump administration pressure, not just media but universities, law firms, and others.
- Free speech concerns: The episode positions Kimmel’s suspension within a larger struggle over free expression and the remaking of American cultural sectors.
"This is another iteration of these kind of battles to remake American culture that we're seeing across the board. ...If the country looks very different two years from now as Trump finds other sectors that he wants to get involved in, I wouldn't be surprised."
— Maggie Severns [16:20]
Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
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"Kimmel delivered what a lot of people would expect to be kind of a normal Jimmy Kimmel monologue, right. Which included criticism of Trump." — Maggie Severns [00:23]
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"When you look at the conduct that has taken place by Jimmy Kimmel, it appears to be some of the sickest conduct possible." — Brendan Carr (clip) [04:03]
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"We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct to take action, frankly, on Kimmel or there's going to be additional work for the FCC ahead." — Brendan Carr (clip) [04:55]
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"Nexstar... stood up and said, look, we have the license, and we don't want to run this anymore... So there's more work to go. But I'm very glad to see that America's broadcasters are standing up to serve the interests of their community. We don't just have this progressive foie gras coming out from New York and Hollywood." — Brendan Carr (clip) [12:37]
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"They give me only bad publicity or press. I mean, they're getting a license. I would think maybe they're license should be taken away. It will be up to Brendan Carr." — Donald Trump [14:40]
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"This is historically very unprecedented from the FCC. ...the executive branch should all basically be under the control of the President." — Maggie Severns [15:36]
Important Segment Timestamps
- 00:00–01:12 — Kimmel’s monologue and conservative backlash
- 01:20–02:02 — Disney announces suspension; questions on free speech and Trump’s influence
- 03:35–05:11 — Brendan Carr’s media appearances and threats
- 06:01–07:32 — Carr’s vision for a “muscular FCC”; broadcast licenses and the “public interest”
- 08:54–09:24 — Carr’s role in recent media mergers and using FCC leverage
- 11:08–12:01 — Affiliate pressure from Nexstar and Sinclair; business connections to decisions
- 13:05–13:25 — Inside Disney/ABC’s executive deliberations and safety concerns
- 14:40–15:10 — Trump applauds the suspension; calls for further license revocations
- 16:09–17:05 — The broader trend: aligning business, media, and government power
Conclusion
The episode draws a vivid portrait of how media, regulation, and political power are intersecting under the Trump administration. The removal of Jimmy Kimmel’s show, at the nexus of shifting FCC priorities and intense public and political pressure, becomes a symbol for the new, more direct, and partisan approach to media regulation and business compliance. The discussion raises urgent questions about free speech, the future of independent media, and the changing balance between business and political power in the U.S.