ABC's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! is just the latest response from a large U.S. media company to pressure from the Trump administration. Industry observers wonder, where does it end?

Washington

Several major U.S. media companies have recently faced heightened pressure in response to actions and rhetoric from the Trump administration. ABC's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show, following decisions by major affiliate groups like NextStar and Sinclair to pre-empt the program, has sparked alarm among comedians and media commentators. These moves are seen as responses to regulatory threats and the influence Washington holds over media ownership laws.

Other networks, including CBS and NBC, have also been affected, with CBS settling a lawsuit with Trump and ending Stephen Colbert's late-night show. The administration's actions, including lawsuits and funding cuts targeting outlets such as the New York Times, NPR, and PBS, have contributed to a climate of concern within the industry. Observers note that corporate ownership and proximity to political power are key factors in the current media landscape, raising questions about the future of press freedom in the U.S.

Trump’s pressure on U.S. media: Where does it end?

After ABC suspended Kimmel's show, comedians are ringing the alarm bell. This is what authoritarianism looks like. Look, if they can come for Kimmel, they can come for anybody. It's more than just a notable moment. It's a scary moment. Bill Carter writes about late-night television and has followed the NextStar Media Group, which operates dozens of ABC affiliate stations, and was the first to announce it was pre-empting Kimmel. Who are they? Why are they important? They're a big station group, which had reached the maximum allowed by law. To keep growing, Carter says they need Washington to change the law. So they have a gigantic vested interest in making the Trump administration happy. NextStar was followed by Sinclair, another major owner of many affiliates, who announced they would not air Kimmel. That put pressure on Disney-owned ABC itself, all responding to the FCC's threat and the power Washington wields. So they're all struggling with that. And then there are a few big companies, and I would say each and every one of those big companies has some vulnerability to being hobbled by this administration. Led by a president who just days ago threatened an ABC reporter asking about the Department of Justice's push to go after hate speech. We'd probably go after people like you because you treat me so unfairly. It's hate. You have a lot of hate in your heart. Maybe they'll come after ABC. ABC is just one of Trump's targets. CBS paid $16 million to settle a lawsuit with Trump over how 60 Minutes edited an interview with Kamala Harris. Before we start the show... Then there's Stephen Colbert. In July, CBS decided to end the most popular show in late night, hosted by the vocal Trump critic. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Nope. No, no. Absolutely not Kimmel. I am the martyr. One week after the announcement, Washington approved the merger of CBS owner Paramount with Skydance. With a new $15 billion lawsuit launched at the New York Times, the cuts to funding hurting NPR and PBS, and the president already taking aim at other late night hosts sharing on social media, that leaves Jimmy and Seth. Do it, NBC. Hollywood watchers say the threat of more action is already having a chilling effect. So there's a feeling of dread. There's a feeling that the media companies are just bending the knee one after the other. And where does this stop? And that's definitely what I'm hearing. The people in the industry are shaken and I think concerned about this unprecedented moment. And in the background of all of this, Eli, is the complicated matter of corporate ownership in the US. And that, Adrienne, is a real pressure point for Trump. Take CBS. So that is owned by Paramount, Skydance. They are looking to buy Warner Brothers Discovery, which would give them control of companies like CNN and HBO Max. Now, the owner of Skydance is David Ellison, who Trump, by the way, calls a great man. David's father is Larry Ellison, major Trump supporter, richest man in the world, and involved in a deal for TikTok. So lots of big power players in close proximity to the White House. All right, Eli, thank you. My pleasure. Thank you.

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