Jimmy Kimmel Fired-Was it Right & Should the FCC have Gotten Involved plus Trump Designates ANTIFA a Terrorist Organization

7 snips

Sep 19, 2025

The hosts discuss the firing of Jimmy Kimmel, attributing it to low ratings and business choices rather than cancel culture. They express concerns over the FCC's potential involvement in regulating speech, arguing it could threaten free expression. The conversation then shifts to Trump’s designation of Antifa as a terrorist organization, with a focus on the need to uncover the funding behind violent protests. They emphasize the difference between protected speech and unprotected violent actions.

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INSIGHT

Why Kimmel Was Fired

Ted Cruz argues Jimmy Kimmel's firing was driven by lies about Charlie Kirk and poor ratings rather than a pure free-speech issue.
Cruz frames ABC's action as a business decision compounded by misinformation consequences.

ANECDOTE

Cruz's Late-Night Experience

Ted Cruz recalls his past appearances across late-night shows and how late-night shifted to anti-Trump monologues.
He uses personal experience to argue late-night abandoned bipartisan comedy for partisan screeds.

INSIGHT

Ratings and Revenue Drove Decision

Ted Cruz cites steep audience declines and advertising demographics as central to Kimmel's value collapse at ABC.
He connects low 18–49 viewership and a large salary to network financial pressure to remove the host.

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Jimmy Kimmel’s Firing & FCC Involvement
- The hosts argue that Jimmy Kimmel was suspended/fired not just because of controversial remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, but also because of poor ratings, declining revenue for ABC, and refusal to apologize.
- They dispute claims that it was “cancel culture,” instead framing it as a business decision coupled with consequences for spreading misinformation.
- The FCC’s possible involvement raises First Amendment concerns. While FCC Chair Brendan Carr suggested broadcasters must act in the “public interest” and hinted at consequences for Kimmel’s comments, Cruz and Ferguson strongly criticize the idea of government threats against speech. They warn that allowing the FCC to police political content would set a dangerous precedent, especially against conservatives in the future.
Trump Designating ANTIFA a Terrorist Organization
- The second half of the discussion covers Senator Cruz questioning FBI Director Cash Betel about Antifa. Cruz urges following the money behind violent protests, pushing for the group’s designation as a terrorist organization.
- Shortly after, Trump announced Antifa would indeed be labeled a terrorist group. The hosts praise this move, calling Antifa a violent organization funded by radical donors (including foreign governments and wealthy left-leaning individuals).
- They stress a distinction between free speech (protected) and violent action (not protected).

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