Trump says TV networks against him should ‘maybe’ lose licence: ‘They give me only bad publicity’
The US President's remarks follow ABC’s decision to pull comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show after his comments on the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
September 19, 2025 10:10 AM IST
First published on: Sep 19, 2025 at 10:09 AM IST
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This move—targeted at curbing the “abuse” of the H-1B visa regime—is potentially going to impact skilled Indian professionals. (AP Photo)
US President Donald Trump has suggested that television broadcasters critical of him should “maybe” lose their licences, after ABC suspended comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show over comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Thursday, as he returned from a state visit to the UK, Trump said: “I have read someplace that the networks were 97 per cent against me, again, 97 per cent, and yet I won and easily, all seven swing states [in last year’s election].”
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He added, according to BBC, “They give me only bad publicity, press. I mean, they’re getting a licence. I would think maybe their licence should be taken away.”
Obama warns of free speech threat
Former US President Barack Obama criticised the suspension, warning it showed a “new and dangerous level” of government coercion, reported Reuters.
After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like. https://t.co/uts7JpJZzN
“After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like,” Obama said in a statement shared on X.
Writers’ and actors’ unions, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union, also condemned the targeting of Kimmel, calling it an unconstitutional attack on free speech rights. Rival late-night hosts including Stephen Colbert rallied behind Kimmel, calling the suspension “blatant censorship,” reported BBC.
Why was Kimmel suspended?
ABC, owned by Disney, announced on Wednesday that it was indefinitely pulling Jimmy Kimmel Live! off air after backlash from conservative groups and pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Kimmel, 57, had criticised Trump and his supporters for using Kirk’s assassination to “score political points.” He also mocked Trump’s reaction to the death, reported Reuters: “This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
His remarks prompted FCC Chair Brendan Carr to threaten an investigation.
Nexstar and Sinclair, two of the largest owners of ABC-affiliated stations, announced they would stop broadcasting Kimmel’s show. Hours later, ABC suspended the programme indefinitely.
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This move—targeted at curbing the “abuse” of the H-1B visa regime—is potentially going to impact skilled Indian professionals. (AP Photo) 
