Ted Cruz Calls FCC Chair’s Warning ‘Mafioso’ Threat to Free Speech

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas sharply criticized Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr over comments made about late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. Cruz spoke out during a podcast episode of “Verdict with Ted Cruz” on Friday, where he described Carr’s remarks as reminiscent of a mafia threat.

During an earlier podcast appearance, Carr warned that Kimmel’s comments could lead to serious repercussions for ABC‘s broadcast license. “We can do this the easy way, or we can do this the hard way,” Carr said, which Cruz likened to a scene from the classic film “Goodfellas.”

Cruz expressed concern that Carr’s statements set a dangerous precedent for government oversight of media. “That’s right out of a mafioso coming into a bar going, ‘Nice bar you have here. It’d be a shame if something happened to it,'” he said. Cruz articulated his support for Kimmel’s suspension but opposed the threatened government action.

While Cruz disagreed with Kimmel’s earlier remarks regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, he warned that allowing the government to dictate media narratives could backfire on conservatives in the future. “They will silence us,” Cruz warned. “They will use this power, and they will use it ruthlessly, and that is dangerous.”

Kimmel, who has not been permanently fired but suspended, responded to the situation during his show, stating that “the MAGA gang” was attempting to manipulate public perception. This incident comes after Carr publicly criticized Kimmel on the podcast of right-wing commentator Benny Johnson.

ABC, which airs “Jimmy Kimmel Live!