Deadline: White House “Endowed by the founders”
Sep 18, 2025
Dominic Patton, Executive Editor at Deadline.com, dives into the pressures broadcasters face, particularly around the Disney/ABC incident involving Jimmy Kimmel. Oliver Darcy sheds light on media dynamics and audience backlash, while Michael Grimbom highlights the impact of lawsuits and institutional pressure on press freedom. The discussion touches on how regulatory decisions can stifle creativity and invites comparisons to authoritarian regimes, revealing the troubling implications for free speech and the media landscape in America.
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Episode notes
First Amendment Under Pressure
- The hosts argue the First Amendment is being reshaped by the current administration's actions against critics.
- Those actions force journalists and citizens to wonder how free speech will function going forward.
Kimmel Clip Sparks Backlash
- Dominic Patton replayed Jimmy Kimmel's segment mocking Trump's grieving behavior after Charlie Kirk's death to show the controversy.
- The clip framed Kimmel's comments as grounds for the network and FCC backlash.
FCC Threats Escalate Pressure
- The FCC chair Brendan Carr publicly threatened Disney/ABC over Kimmel's remarks, escalating pressure on broadcasters.
- That public threat signaled regulatory risk for media companies carrying critical voices.
