Okay, I want to bring in Sam Stein, managing editor at the Bull Work. Charlie Dent is a former Republican congressman from Pennsylvania and executive of the Aspen Institute Congressional Program. And here with me in studio, New York Times reporter Jeremy Peters. And by the way, Sam and Jeremy are MSNBC contributors. Well, that was a chuckle certainly. Uh, but let's start with Sam on what we heard the president say. And I want to combine that with what we heard from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr on Thursday. Her ...

You might have heard that on Monday, Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about slain right-wing activist Charlie Kirk and Disney and ABC pulled his show. You might have heard less about the man really behind it, FCC chair Brenton Carr. The FCC is typically in charge of things like making sure Americans have good broadband, but Carr really has one mission.Making sure nobody makes fun of his friends. On Monday, he heard Kimmel say this, which isn't really even about Kirk. We hit some new lows over the weekend with the M ...

First Amendment & FCC Authority - The core issue revolves around potential First Amendment violations, with concerns that the administration is using its power to pressure broadcasters to alter their news coverage [2][3] - The FCC's authority is limited regarding content regulation, primarily focusing on protecting children and not retaliating against broadcasters for legal content [5][6] - Revoking a station's license is an extremely rare and serious action, requiring a very high standard, and there is no basis for revoking licenses based on Jimmy Kimmel's content or normal editorial decisions [13][14] Corporate Capitulation & Media Pressure - Corporate capitulation to pressure from the administration is seen as harming democracy by undermining freedom of speech and freedom of the press [3][7] - The administration is perceived to be weaponizing transactions and deals to pressure companies to change how they report news, potentially demanding favorable coverage [21] - There are concerns that the FCC is initiating investigations at the staff level, potentially overstepping its bounds without judicial review [9][10] Complaints & Partisan Influence - Complaints have been filed against media companies, including those related to Jimmy Kimmel's comments, but these are often from partisan legal groups [17][18] - The Jimmy Kimmel show is considered satire, not news, and therefore does not meet the standard for news distortion [15][16] Settlements & Potential Interference - Disney previously paid $50 million to settle a defamation lawsuit, raising concerns about deals hinging on settling such cases [19] - The installation of a "truth arbiter" or ombudsman at Paramount is viewed as chilling interference in the freedom of the press [20]

You put out a very strongly worded statement following what seemed to be Jimmy Kimmel's show being put on ice indefinitely. And you really talk about it having been led to a shameful show of cowardly corporate capitulation by ABC that has put the foundation of the First Amendment in danger. So you think this is a corporate responsibility at this moment.What we are seeing is this administration use whatever levers of power it has in order to bring broadcasters to heel. And the news media, as you mentioned. T ...

President Trump continues to attack the media, the president threatening the licenses of US broadcast networks if they are too critical of him. This comes after Walt Disney put Jimmy Kimmel's show on indefinite hiatus over the monologue he delivered. Joining us now with more is Bloomberg Wall Street Week host David Westin.You also are a lawyer, have a history working with Supreme Court justice. And, of course, you ran ABC News. So what do you think about this.The main thought I had when I heard was, I'm gla ...

Joining us now, House Minority Leader, Democratic Congressman Hakee Jeff of New York. Of course, we want to talk to you about the looming shutdown. But first, uh would like to get your reaction and what you're hearing from your colleagues on the Hill uh about uh the Jimmy Kimmel situation being yanked off the air.Well, good morning. Great to be with you. Uh Democrats in the House and the Senate are deeply disturbed uh by the events.This is another example of Donald Trump and the Trump administration weaponi ...

Freedom of Speech and Cancel Culture - The report highlights concerns about freedom of speech as educators face scrutiny and job loss for controversial posts, with some arguing firings create a culture of fear [4] - The report notes the irony of figures who previously opposed cancel culture now seemingly engaging in similar actions by urging people to report those with differing opinions [8] - The report emphasizes the distinction between individual accountability and government action, suggesting that government involvement in policing speech constitutes a violation of the First Amendment [10][11] Political Implications - The report suggests that the controversy surrounding free speech could demoralize young voters who previously supported President Trump, potentially impacting Republican congressional prospects [15] - The report indicates a potential shift in the conservative stance on cancel culture, with some conservatives expressing concern over the litigation of free speech [13][14] - The report mentions a looming government shutdown and Democratic willingness to fight for healthcare, potentially impacting bipartisan government funding [17][18] Actions and Investigations - The report mentions that at least three dozen education professionals have left or been removed from their jobs due to inappropriate comments [1] - The report states that Texas is investigating over 280 complaints against teachers, with Florida and Oklahoma launching similar probes [2] - The report notes that Clemson University fired three staff members, and UCLA placed an employee on leave due to controversial posts [2][3]

Is free speech under threat. Is the First Amendment under threat. Absolutely.I think since the beginning of this second Trump administration, the president and his advisers have taken a number of steps to use sort of every lever of power at their disposal to control the speech of private individuals, private companies and private institutions. And I think the Brennan Carr's statements on Wednesday is just the latest example of this administration using threats of regulatory oversight, denial of mergers and ...

Core Argument - The article discusses the perceived threats to free speech and the First Amendment under the current administration, highlighting actions taken to control speech by private individuals and companies [2][4][26]. Government Actions - The Trump administration has allegedly used regulatory threats and coercion to influence private companies, compelling them to censor speech that the administration finds objectionable [2][11][24]. - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman's statements are cited as a direct threat to broadcasters, suggesting that failure to comply with government expectations could lead to regulatory scrutiny [10][11]. Case Examples - The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show by Disney is presented as a case where backlash from the administration influenced corporate decisions, raising concerns about the implications for free speech [6][7][10]. - A historical case involving the National Rifle Association (NRA) is referenced, where the Supreme Court ruled that government pressure on private entities to suppress speech violates the First Amendment [18][19]. Legal Implications - There is potential for legal recourse through lawsuits challenging government actions that infringe upon free speech rights, with the possibility of cases reaching the Supreme Court [4][19][26]. - The complexities of such legal actions are acknowledged, particularly regarding the remedies sought and the financial motivations of involved parties [21][26]. Broader Implications - The article raises concerns about the chilling effect on media and public discourse, suggesting that the current environment could deter criticism of the government and undermine the principles of free speech [24][25][26]. - The potential for future administrations to use similar tactics against opposing media is highlighted, emphasizing the risks to free speech across the political spectrum [24][26].

What does your sign say. It says they're literally canceling culture. What do you mean by that.To cancel television shows or media or entertainment. That is our culture and they are crushing that to appease the uh Trump regime. If you agree that the FCC shouldn't be in the business of calling out dissenting voices and trying to threaten them, then you should take some sort of action.Whether that's doing this or donating to the ACLU or coming out to protest. Uh if you feel strongly about it, do something. Th ...