Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has sharply criticized ABC host Jimmy Kimmel over his recent comments concerning the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA.
In a podcast interview with conservative commentator Benny Johnson, Carr suggested that Kimmel, ABC and Disney could face regulatory consequences for spreading politically motivated misinformation about the shooter’s alleged political affiliations.
Kirk was fatally shot last week during a campus event at Utah Valley University by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.
In the wake of the shooting, Kimmel claimed Robinson was part of the “MAGA gang” and mocked President Donald Trump’s response to the tragedy.
Carr described these remarks as “truly sick” and warned they could put ABC’s broadcast license at risk.
“This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney. We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr told Johnson. “These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
“They have a license granted by us at the FCC, and that comes with an obligation to operate in the public interest.”
Carr also noted that calls for Kimmel’s suspension could be justified.
“The FCC could make a strong argument that this is sort of an intentional effort to mislead the American people about a very core fundamental fact, a very important matter,” he said.
He emphasized that both the network and its local affiliates have a responsibility to ensure content does not misinform the public.
The controversy arises amid repeated attempts by some left-leaning media figures to connect Robinson to the MAGA movement, despite evidence suggesting otherwise, as highlighted by Trending Politics.
Reports indicate Robinson had been raised in a conservative Christian household, but family members and investigative findings show he had shifted politically in recent years, advocating for “trans” rights and influenced by his romantic partner at the time of the attack.
Kimmel’s comments went further, mocking Trump for flying flags at half-staff and criticizing the president’s response as immature.
“This is not how an adult grieves the murder of somebody he called a friend,” Kimmel said, comparing Trump’s reaction to that of a child mourning a goldfish.
Kimmel has repeatedly framed the shooting as the result of political extremism on the right, contrary to official law enforcement statements.
Authorities, including FBI officials and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R), have confirmed that Robinson’s ideology had shifted in recent years, with no evidence supporting claims of affiliation with conservative or MAGA-aligned groups.
Text messages released during a press conference reveal Robinson had expressed strong disagreements with Kirk’s views, influenced by his personal relationships and activism.
The media controversy deepened when ABC correspondent Matt Gutman highlighted the text messages Robinson allegedly sent to his trans-identifying partner, describing them as “very touching” and “intimate.”
Gutman emphasized the contrast between Robinson’s violent actions and the affectionate language in the messages, calling the press conference “riveting” and noting the duality of someone capable of both care and extreme violence.
His commentary drew immediate backlash from conservative commentators and social media users, who argued that portraying the texts as emotionally significant risked minimizing the gravity of the murder and reflected poorly on ABC’s editorial judgment.
Carr’s statements underline the regulatory authority of the FCC to act against media outlets that disseminate demonstrably false or misleading content.
He warned Disney and ABC that inaction could prompt stricter oversight or sanctions, emphasizing that licensed broadcasters have a public duty to provide truthful reporting.
“Disney needs to see some change here,” Carr stated. “The status quo is obviously not acceptable.”
The dispute over Kimmel’s remarks, combined with ABC’s handling of Gutman’s coverage, reflects ongoing tensions over media accountability and political bias.
Conservative leaders argue that misrepresenting the motives of individuals involved in high-profile crimes can mislead the public and politicize tragedies, while also highlighting potential consequences for media companies under FCC regulations.
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