The Bulwark Podcast Brian Stelter and Jonathan V. Last: Worst Case Scenario
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Sep 18, 2025 
Brian Stelter, former CNN media reporter and chief media analyst, joins Jonathan V. Last, Bulwark editor and astute political commentator. They dive into the controversial suspension of Jimmy Kimmel, framing it as a case of government coercion rather than a mere disciplinary action. Stelter reflects on FCC pressures and the troubling implications for media freedom, while Last critiques the erosion of institutional norms and the asymmetric politics at play. Together, they explore how similar tactics mirror those seen in authoritarian regimes.
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Government Pressure Drove Kimmel Suspension
- The Jimmy Kimmel suspension reads less like content policing and more like government coercion tied to corporate regulatory interests.
- Brian Stelter argues the FCC pressure created a direct causal path from Carr's comments to ABC pulling Kimmel off air.
Merger Motive Explains Media Capitulation
- Nexstar/Tegna merger stakes create a clear incentive for broadcasters to curry favor with the FCC chairman Brendan Carr.
- Stelter frames Nexstar's $6.2 billion deal as the business context that explains the rapid corporate capitulation.
FCC Chair Uses Media To Apply Pressure
- Brendan Carr reinvented the FCC into an instrument of partisan media pressure by publicizing probes and leaking letters.
- Stelter says Carr uses press coverage strategically to influence media companies and affiliates.
