Story perspectives

Senators Clash Over Free Speech After Kimmel's Controversial Joke

9/21/2025

49 5

Summary

Story summary

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) disagrees with Sen. Ted Cruz regarding free speech concerns tied to FCC Chair Brendan Carr's warning to ABC about Jimmy Kimmel's joke on Charlie Kirk's assassin.
Mullin asserts that ABC, as a private entity, can make its own choices.
He finds Kimmel's joke insensitive and unjustifiable.
Carr labeled Kimmel's remarks as "sick" and urged ABC to consider public interest.
Democrats, including Chuck Schumer, criticized Carr's actions as a threat to free speech, leading ABC to suspend Kimmel's show after backlash from Nexstar Media Group.

1 of 1

Story summary

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) disagrees with Sen. Ted Cruz regarding free speech concerns tied to FCC Chair Brendan Carr's warning to ABC about Jimmy Kimmel's joke on Charlie Kirk's assassin.
Mullin asserts that ABC, as a private entity, can make its own choices.
He finds Kimmel's joke insensitive and unjustifiable.
Carr labeled Kimmel's remarks as "sick" and urged ABC to consider public interest.
Democrats, including Chuck Schumer, criticized Carr's actions as a threat to free speech, leading ABC to suspend Kimmel's show after backlash from Nexstar Media Group.