GOP Rep. Don Bacon Says Trump Wrong to Threaten Media After Kimmel Controversy

Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska is leaving Congress next year but not without issuing some of the sharpest criticism of Donald Trump from within his party.

In a wide-ranging interview with CNN’s Manu Raju, Bacon said the GOP has drifted from traditional conservative values under Trump, embracing isolationism abroad and protectionist economic policies that he believes weaken the United States.

Bacon’s strongest remarks centered on Trump’s comments following the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show. ABC pulled Kimmel off the air amid backlash to remarks he made about Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer. The decision came after FCC Chair Brendan Carr suggested Kimmel should be suspended, warning, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”

Trump applauded the move on Truth Social, writing, “Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.”

But Bacon called the rhetoric unacceptable. “I think the President doing threats against media is also wrong. We don’t threaten the media,” he said on CNN’s “Inside Politics Sunday.” He added that threatening to revoke media licenses is “not what America’s about” and said freedom of the press must be defended.

Bacon also criticized Trump’s reliance on tariffs, arguing they hurt farmers in Iowa and Nebraska and fail to expand markets for corn and soybeans. “He is by far overreaching on tariffs,” Bacon said.

On foreign policy, Bacon expressed deep concern about Trump’s approach to Russia and Ukraine. He accused Trump of accommodating Vladimir Putin while showing little support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “I don’t see the moral clarity right now out of the White House,” Bacon said. “Ronald Reagan had moral clarity. Trump sends out such mixed messages on NATO and totally morally ambiguous messages about Ukraine and Russia. It really bothers me the most.”

Though stepping away from Congress, Bacon says he plans to continue speaking out and supporting traditional Republicans. He hopes the changes Trump has brought to the party will not become permanent.

Credit: CNN Newsource

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