The Trump insider who destroyed Kimmel was reluctant to take on the job … now he’s reshaping American TV
Brendan Carr was just ‘waiting for the wrong move’ to pull their plug on any network on the president’s hit list, it was revealed on Thursday.
A source familiar with the inner workings at the Federal Communications Commission warned the Daily Mail just last month that the FCC chairman was waiting for his opportunity.
President Donald Trump was basking in the cancellation of Stephen Colbert, but knowing Carr, the source calculated last month that another scalp was coming soon.
‘I told you,’ was the reply the Daily Mail received Thursday following the suspension of ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel.
The final blow came from an unlikely personal alliance between Carr and far–right host Benny Johnson, who held a web–cast interview condemning Kimmel and urging ABC to fire him in the wake of Kimmel’s commentary on Charlie Kirk.
Kimmel made several comments on his show Monday and Tuesday on the conservative activist’s killing, saying many Trump supporters are trying to capitalize on Kirk’s death.
‘The MAGA gang (is) desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,’ Kimmel said.
Johnson’s team called ABC, their stations, and Disney ‘all day’ with what he called unimaginable success. ‘MAGA twitter’ added fuel to the fire – helping create a simmering pressure campaign.
‘We had FCC Chairman Brendan Carr on the show to announce investigations into ABC and Disney for letting Kimmel lie to millions about Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Hours later, he was gone,’ Johnson celebrated on Truth Social.
Just last month, a source familiar with the inner workings at the Federal Communications Commission warned the Daily Mail that FCC chairman Brendan Carr was ‘waiting for the wrong move’ from any network on the president’s hit list to pull their plug
The ‘clean–cut telecom crusader’ commands what insiders call the ‘MAGA ship’ at the FCC
Carr has emerged as Trump’s most powerful yet underestimated enforcer, wielding regulatory authority over America’s multi–billion–dollar communications landscape.
The ‘clean–cut telecom crusader’ commands what insiders call the ‘MAGA ship’ at the FCC.
His aggressive approach has made him both a rising star in Trump’s inner circle and a lightning rod for fierce opposition. House Democrats have demanded his resignation, branding him a ‘bully’ whose actions constitute ‘corrupt abuse of power.’
But the Daily Mail can report that Carr’s aggressive stance may be more political theater than a fervent regulatory worldview, according to sources familiar with his approach.
One source close to former FCC employees reveals Carr is actually ‘somewhat of an industry shill’ who was initially ‘hesitant to get on board’ with targeting networks. The real driving force was former commissioner Nathan Simington, who ‘led the initial charge’ for weeks before Carr agreed.
Simington, sources say, was more closely aligned with President Trump, as was his protégé Gavin Wax –– who Simington hoped would replace him when he left the FCC.
Simington was nominated to serve as a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission by the president. His appointment was part of the Trump administration’s effort to reshape the FCC, following the withdrawal of Commissioner Michael O’Rielly’s renomination due to his reservations about limiting social media companies’ legal protections.
The Daily Mail reported that clashes at the agency in late August led to staff departures and changes in personnel, when Simington resigned and his underling Gavin Wax left for the State Department.
‘Talk gets you pretty far. Threats from the FCC will weaken valuations, but networks will realize the threats are empty if he doesn’t follow through,’ the source explained. ‘He’s not actually doing the work to make the FCC go after broadcasters, he’s relying on other people to get it done for him. He’s trying to toe the line. He wants to make Trump happy but he can’t go too far otherwise he could face legal issues.’
One former FCC employee reveals Carr is actually ‘somewhat of an industry shill’ who was initially ‘hesitant to get on board’ with targeting networks. The real driving force was former commissioner Nathan Simington, who ‘led the initial charge’ for weeks before Carr agreed
‘I think Brendan Carr is outstanding, he’s a patriot,’ said Trump, who nominated Carr to his position. ‘He loves our country, and he’s a tough guy. So we’ll have to see,’ Trump said today
Today, President Trump took things a step further, hinting that the federal government could revoke the licenses of broadcast television networks that oppose him
The FCC cannot legally remove Jimmy Kimmel or others from the air for political commentary, as doing so would violate First Amendment protections. However, it can exert regulatory pressure—through license reviews, merger approvals, or public scrutiny—that may indirectly influence networks to take action on their own.
Today, President Trump took things a step further, hinting that the federal government could revoke the licenses of broadcast television networks that oppose him.
The president said that decision will be up to Brendan Carr.
‘I think Brendan Carr is outstanding, he’s a patriot,’ said Trump, who nominated Carr to his position. ‘He loves our country, and he’s a tough guy. So we’ll have to see,’ Trump said today.
Trump is also now eyeing Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers following Kimmel’s downfall.
‘Their ratings are horrible. Do it NBC!!!’ Trump posted on Truth Social.
One insider close to the chairman described Carr’s position as a ‘delicate dance’ between Trump’s impulsive social media demands and staying within legal precedent. But networks are in ‘panic’ as they fold ‘like a deck of cards.’
Industry sources warn that hosts could have grounds to sue if the FCC drives them off air. ‘Saying you want to dump broadcasters is just not going to hold up in court,’ one added.
Broadcasting giants are aligning with Carr’s agenda as they pursue multibillion–dollar deals. Nexstar wants approval for its $6.2 billion Tegna acquisition, which would reach 80 percent of U.S. households—well beyond the FCC’s 39 percent cap.
Broadcasting giants are aligning with Carr’s agenda as they pursue multibillion–dollar deals. Nexstar wants approval for its $6.2 billion Tegna acquisition, which would reach 80 percent of U.S. households—well beyond the FCC’s 39 percent cap
One insider close to the chairman described Carr’s position as a ‘delicate dance’ between Trump’s impulsive social media demands and staying within legal precedent. But networks are in ‘panic’ as they fold ‘like a deck of cards’
Industry sources warn that hosts could have grounds to sue if the FCC drives them off air. ‘Saying you want to dump broadcasters is just not going to hold up in court,’ one added
Donald Trump was basking in the cancellation of Stephen Colbert , but knowing Carr, the source calculated another another scalp was coming soon
Sinclair is demanding Kimmel apologize and donate to Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA.
The timing isn’t coincidental. In July, CBS cancelled Colbert around the same time Paramount sought FCC approval for its $8 billion Skydance merger—which Carr approved.
‘Americans no longer trust legacy media to report fully, accurately, and fairly,’ Carr said in a statement. ‘It is time for a change.’
Carr, 46, was first appointed by Trump in 2017 and reappointed by Biden in 2023, earning unanimous Senate confirmation three times. The Georgetown law graduate earned the nickname ‘The FCC’s 5G crusader’ for his deregulation agenda.
Operating at the intersection of free speech rights and broadband billions, his decisions ripple through everything from social media platforms to rural internet access.
The question isn’t whether Carr is reshaping America’s media landscape—it’s whether this unprecedented approach to appease the president and his supporters will survive the political and legal firestorm he’s ignited.
