The head of the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has accused late-night host Jimmy Kimmel of misleading the public with his remarks about the death of Conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
According to FCC chair Brendan Carr, Kimmel’s on-air comments gave the impression that the man accused of killing Kirk was a supporter of former President Donald Trump. However, Utah’s governor had previously clarified that the suspect was motivated by left-wing ideology.
Carr argued that Kimmel’s remarks could not be dismissed as satire or light-hearted banter. He insisted they carried the potential to deceive viewers, describing them as “not a joke” or simple comedy.
When pressed on whether the FCC was attempting to silence critics of Trump, Carr rejected the idea, instead stressing that television broadcasters with federal licenses operate under stricter obligations than independent podcasters or internet hosts.
He pointed out that while anyone can freely post online, licensed broadcasters must meet a higher “public interest” standard. Carr further explained that the FCC intends to enforce those requirements more firmly, warning that broadcasters who mislead audiences risk their access to valuable public airwaves.
