Donald Trump suggested on Friday that TV network’s criticism of him is not protected under the First Amendment.
Trump made the stunning remarks in the Oval Office when asked by a reporter about the fallout that follows the decision by ABC to suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s show after threats by the Trump appointed chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Brendan Carr.
“I’m a very strong person for free speech. But 97, 94, 95, 96% of the people are against me in the sense of the newscasts are against me. The stories are– they said 97% bad,” Trump said in a clip highlighted by Mediaite. “So, they gave me 97, they’ll take a great story, and they’ll make it bad. See, I think that’s really illegal, personally.”
It is unclear where Trump got that 97% from but still, those comments made by network personalities are covered by the First Amendment.
“I think it’s very sad, but I think reporting has to be at least accurate, at least accurate to an extent,” Trump added. “Again, when somebody is given, 97% of stories are bad about a person. That’s no longer free speech. That’s no longer anything. That’s just cheating.”
Trump’s comments come as his allies are downplaying the importance of protecting free speech rights after ABC suspended Kimmel’s show over comments he made about the reaction to the conservative activist’s killing last week. Kimmel suggested that 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.
Carr suggested that Jimmy Kimmel should be suspended over those comments adding, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,”
Within a matter of hours, ABC suspended Kimmel’s show “indefinitely.”
After Kimmel was suspended, Carr said “I don’t think this is the last shoe to drop” and suggested the FCC may target other shows, including ABC’s “The View.”
Trump has defended, Carr calling him “incredible” and “a great American.”
“I think he’s a courageous person,” Trump said of Carr. “He doesn’t like to see the airwaves be used illegally and incorrectly.”
