TELL CONGRESS: Nexstar and ABC’s decision to silence Jimmy Kimmel after threats from the
Trump administration is chilling. This has everything to do with the FCC
sign-off Nexstar needs to complete its $6 billion mega-deal. Congress must
take action to stop Trump’s media takeover. Sign the petition: Investigate Nexstar’s $6 billion media mega-merger and uncover the truth
about Kimmel’s suspension.
[ [link removed] ]ADD YOUR NAME
After Jimmy Kimmel made mildly critical comments about Trump during his
late-night comedy show, the Trump administration went on the attack.^1
Trump’s FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened ABC, noting he would look at
“remedies” to punish Kimmel’s criticism. “We can do this the easy way or
the hard way,” he said.^2 Then Nexstar, a giant local TV broadcaster that
operates two dozen ABC affiliates, said it would refuse to show Kimmel on
its broadcasts. ABC soon followed suit, indefinitely cancelling Kimmel’s
show nationwide.
Nexstar has a $6 billion incentive to curry favor with Trump’s FCC. Not
only does Nexstar need Carr’s sign off on the $6 billion mega-deal to
acquire another broadcaster (Tegna), it needs the FCC to completely change
anti-monopoly rules for them.^3
When big media corporations like ABC give in to these attacks, it empowers
Trump and has a chilling effect on free speech. Congress needs to take
action to stop Trump’s media takeover and Nexstar’s monopoly push.
[ [link removed] ]Sign the petition: Investigate Nexstar’s $6 billion deal, expose the
motivations behind suspending Jimmy Kimmel, and stop a TV broadcasting
mega-monopoly!
[ [link removed] ]ADD YOUR NAME
Nexstar’s $6.2 billion proposal to buy Tegna would allow Nexstar to reach
80% of TV households. The current cap for broadcasters is 39%. Nexstar can
only create its broadcasting monopoly if the Trump administration more
than DOUBLES its regulatory cap.^4
Nexstar silencing Kimmel while it has business in front of the federal
government mirrors Paramount’s decision to cancel Stephen Colbert’s show
after he criticized the company’s dealings with Trump. Trump celebrated
Colbert’s firing,^5 and he cheered on Kimmel’s firing this week.^6
Big media companies are also afraid of Trump’s lawsuits, which he’s
leveled against CBS, ABC, and the New York Times.^7
Ultra-rich media executives keep handing even greater control over the
country to Trump. This growing pattern of corporate capitulation to Trump
puts every journalist, commentator, comedian, and advocate at risk.
Congress must investigate Nexstar and prevent Trump from further silencing
critics.
[ [link removed] ]Sign the petition: Investigate Nexstar for pulling Kimmel’s show with a
corporate mega-deal on the line. Thanks for taking action,
Joey and the Demand Progress team
[ [link removed] ]DONATE
Sources:
1. The New York Times, "ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel Off Air for Charlie Kirk
Comments After F.C.C. Pressure,” [ [link removed] ]September 17, 2025.
2. Ibid.
3. Brian Stelter on X, "KEY to the story about ABC suspending Kimmel's
show: Nexstar and Sinclair, two big owners of ABC-affiliated stations,
both need FCC approval for pending deals...” [ [link removed] ]September 17, 2025.
4. Emma Vigeland on X, "Current FCC rules cap TV conglomerates from
owning stations that reach more than 39% of TV households...”
[ [link removed] ]September 18, 2025.
5. The Daily Beast, "Fox News Host Says CBS’ Trump Suck-Up Tarnished
Network,” [ [link removed] ]July 20, 2025.
6. Axios, "White House, Trump cheer ABC over Kimmel suspension: 'Jimmy is
a sick freak!'” [ [link removed] ]September 17, 2025.
7. The New York Times, "ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel Off Air for Charlie Kirk
Comments After F.C.C. Pressure,” [ [link removed] ]September 17, 2025.
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