On the podcast Verdict with Ted Cruz, the Texas Republican tore into Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr, blasting him as “dangerous as hell” for suggesting action against Jimmy Kimmel and ABC after Kimmel falsely claimed Charlie Kirk’s suspected assassin was part of “the MAGA gang.”
Carr, speaking last week, hinted that the FCC could investigate the matter, calling it “an intentional effort to mislead the American people about a very important matter.”
Cruz likened Carr’s comments to mafia-style intimidation.
“That’s right out of Goodfellas,” Cruz said. “That’s a mafioso move — ‘Nice bar you got here, shame if something happened to it.’ This kind of bullying is dangerous.”
While Cruz acknowledged Kimmel’s comment was misleading, he warned that allowing the FCC to police speech sets a precedent that could easily be turned on conservatives.
“They will silence us,” Cruz said. “They will use this power ruthlessly. And that is dangerous.”
But not everyone in the GOP agrees. President Donald Trump defended Carr, telling reporters: “Brendan Carr is a great American patriot. So I disagree with Ted Cruz on that.”
Democrats on the Senate Commerce Committee, which Cruz chairs, have urged him to hold a hearing on Carr’s conduct. “Free speech is under threat, and this hearing could not be more important for the American people,” they wrote in a letter.
Meanwhile, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) supported Carr’s approach, stating the FCC has “well within their bounds” to question broadcast licensing when misleading content is aired.
As for Kimmel, a week has passed since his false claim aired — and there’s been no retraction.
Polling reflects public confusion: 40% of Americans don’t know the political affiliation of Kirk’s alleged killer. The FCC chair hinted Thursday that more action may come, saying bluntly, “We’re not done yet.”
