US Senator Ted Cruz has accused the head of America's broadcast regulator of acting like 'a mafioso' in the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel - the sharpest attack yet from a conservative Republican on the controversy.
He said Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr's threat to ABC over their comedian's monologue about slain conservative influencer Charlie Kirk was 'dangerous as hell'.
'That's right out of Goodfellas,' the Texas Republican said, as he affected a mobster's accent.
Other Republicans in Congress have been more muted in their criticism of how the FCC pressed Disney-owned ABC to take action on Kimmel, who was indefinitely suspended on Wednesday.
The row started after Kimmel appeared to suggest in his monologue on Monday night that the alleged gunman charged with murdering Kirk was a Maga Republican, although authorities in Utah have said the suspect was 'indoctrinated with leftist ideology'.
Before ABC's decision, Carr said there would be consequences if Kimmel stayed on air. The FCC chairman said that Kimmel was 'appearing to directly mislead the American public' in his on-air remarks.
On his podcast Verdict with Ted Cruz, Cruz indicated his disdain for Kimmel's comments, stating he was 'thrilled that he was fired', but also slammed Carr's threatening approach.
'What Carr said there is dangerous as hell,' Cruz said, highlighting the implications of government control over media narrative. 'This is what mafia does; it threatens. Imagine this in a bar with a mobster voice!' Cruz emphasized the need for caution against government overreach in media regulation.
In response to the mounting tensions, President Donald Trump defended Carr's methods, showcasing a rare rift between Cruz and the president.
Another Republican Senator, Thom Tillis, endorsed Cruz's criticism of Carr, calling his behavior 'unacceptable'. Meanwhile, the national discourse reflects a growing polarization regarding free speech and media responsibility, further complicated by events surrounding Kirk's tragic death.
Kimmel's suspension and the subsequent reactions from political figures and fellow late-night hosts indicate the volatile state of discourse in America as it grapples with issues of free expression and political accountability.
In light of these developments, the FCC's role in shaping media content faces intense scrutiny, balancing the interests of public safety and free speech.
