Ted Cruz Slams FCC Chair’s Threats Against ABC as ‘Dangerous as Hell’

Sen. Ted Cruz is breaking with fellow conservatives over threats to punish ABC for Jimmy Kimmel’s recent remarks about Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer.

In a new episode of his podcast, “Verdict with Ted Cruz,” the Texas Republican said he was pleased that ABC pulled Kimmel’s late-night show but called FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s threats to revoke the network’s license “unbelievably dangerous.” Cruz argued that empowering the government to police speech could backfire on conservatives when political power shifts.

“I hate what Jimmy Kimmel said. I am thrilled that he was fired,” Cruz said. “But if the government gets in the business of saying, ‘We don’t like what you, the media, have said. We’re going to ban you from the airwaves if you don’t say what we like,’ that will end up bad for conservatives.”

Carr, a Trump appointee, told podcaster Benny Johnson earlier this week that broadcasters could “do this the easy way or the hard way” when it comes to disciplining talent like Kimmel. ABC suspended Kimmel’s show the day after Carr’s comments.

Cruz, who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee with oversight of the FCC, said his panel could hold hearings if Carr continues the same course. He likened Carr’s warning to mafia-style threats, saying it echoed a “Goodfellas” scene.

President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has praised Carr, calling him a “great American patriot.” Trump has also threatened to pull licenses from networks he accuses of biased coverage.

Despite applauding Kimmel’s removal from the air, Cruz emphasized the broader principle at stake. “It might feel good right now to threaten Jimmy Kimmel,” he said. “But when it is used to silence every conservative in America, we will regret it.”

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