POLITICS
FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s War on Trump Jokes
The FCC chairman is using his power over TV, radio, and internet to threaten broadcasters who dare to make jokes about Donald Trump.
theverge.comFederal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr is leveraging his authority over the nation’s airwaves and internet to target broadcasters exercising free speech. Under his leadership, the FCC has reopened major investigations and threatened local station licenses simply because networks aired jokes and criticism about President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, groups like the Committee to Protect Journalists are calling on Carr to respect First Amendment rights.
- Brendan Carr holds authority over U.S. TV, radio, and internet as FCC chairman.
- The FCC has reopened several major investigations and threatened local station licenses under his leadership.
- Carr's actions target broadcasters, reporters, and critics who make jokes, report on, or satirize Donald Trump.
- The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has formally called on Carr to respect First Amendment rights.
WHY THIS MATTERSWHY THIS MATTERS: When a federal regulator decides that poking fun at the president is a punishable offense, it doesn't stop at late-night TV. It sets a dangerous precedent for any platform, creator, or internet user expressing dissent.