Who is Brendan Carr, the FCC Chair at the heart of the Jimmy Kimmel controversy?
Brendan Carr, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the nation’s primary regulator for the broadcast industry, found himself at the center of a major media storm recently. His comments on a right-wing podcast, criticizing remarks made by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, quickly preceded ABC’s decision to pull ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ off the air indefinitely. This move sparked immediate backlash from Democrats, while drawing praise from figures like former President Trump, who lauded Kimmel’s suspension as “Great News for America.”
So, who exactly is Mr. Carr?
Carr’s Journey: From Corporate Law to FCC Leadership
A 46-year-old Washington, D.C., native, Mr. Carr began his career as a lawyer, advising corporate clients, particularly within the wireless sector, on regulatory issues. In 2012, he joined the FCC as a staff attorney.
His ascent within the agency and the Republican Party was swift. He collaborated closely with Ajit Pai, former President Trump’s initial appointee for the FCC chair. By mid-2017, Mr. Carr secured a Republican seat on the commission.
During his tenure as a commissioner, Mr. Carr gained significant attention from Republicans for his vocal critiques of news media outlets, accusing them of harboring liberal biases.
He contributed the FCC chapter to “Project 2025,” a comprehensive policy blueprint developed for Mr. Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. In this document, Mr. Carr advocated for the agency to prioritize reining in large tech companies, which he accused of censorship. “The FCC should promote freedom of speech,” he declared as the opening line of his chapter.
Why Trump Chose Carr for the FCC Helm
Mr. Carr was, in many respects, the clear choice for the FCC chairmanship. He possessed extensive experience in communications regulation and was a recognized figure in policy circles.
Through frequent appearances on cable news and numerous social media posts, Mr. Carr consistently echoed former President Trump’s escalating frustrations with broadcasters during the election cycle. He also cultivated strong connections within conservative organizations in Washington, such as the Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society.
Before the election, Mr. Carr aligned himself closely with Elon Musk, who was then a close associate of Mr. Trump. Mr. Carr frequently shared photos on X (Musk’s social media platform) of himself attending SpaceX launches and other ventures overseen by the billionaire.
Upon naming Mr. Carr to lead the FCC in January, former President Trump stated, “Commissioner Carr is a warrior for Free Speech, and has fought against the regulatory Lawfare that has stifled Americans’ Freedoms, and held back our Economy.”
Carr’s Tenure: Investigations, Deregulation, and Accusations
Since assuming leadership of the FCC, Mr. Carr swiftly launched investigations into diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, actively advocating for their dismantling, and subsequently enacted significant deregulation for broadband companies.
In January, he controversially reinstated complaints against major broadcasters like CBS, NBC, and ABC, accusing them of political biases. These complaints had previously been dismissed by the FCC under former President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who deemed them violations of the First Amendment.
By March, Mr. Carr initiated an investigation into ABC’s diversity policies, pledging to scrutinize them for discriminatory practices. In April, he publicly accused Comcast, the parent company of NBC, of “news distortion.”
A conservative group’s complaint to the FCC in October 2024, alleging that CBS’s “60 Minutes” edited an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris to portray her favorably, further highlighted Carr’s approach. He then linked this complaint to Paramount’s proposed $8 billion merger with Skydance, which was awaiting FCC approval. In early July, Paramount settled Mr. Trump’s lawsuit against CBS for $16 million. Weeks later, Mr. Carr approved the Paramount-Skydance merger.
How Can the FCC Chairman Influence Media?
Mr. Carr’s authority primarily stems from the licenses the FCC grants to radio and television stations, allowing them to broadcast over public airwaves.
While the FCC cannot directly prohibit a news network from airing specific content, Mr. Carr has argued that he possesses the power to withhold or revoke licenses from stations deemed not to be operating in the public’s interest.
The definition of “public interest” can be quite broad, and many telecommunications experts contend that Mr. Carr, more than any previous FCC chair, has leveraged his position to challenge and penalize speech he considers objectionable.
Carr’s Remarks on Jimmy Kimmel
During his Monday opening monologue, Mr. Kimmel addressed the recent killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, stating: “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang 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.”
In his podcast interview, Mr. Carr characterized Mr. Kimmel’s comments as part of a “concerted effort to lie to the American people” about the motivations of Kirk’s killer. He warned that the FCC had “remedies that we can look at.”
“Frankly, when you see stuff like this — I mean, we can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Mr. Carr reportedly told podcast host Benny Johnson. “These companies can find ways to change conduct and take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the F.C.C. ahead.”
The FCC did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Mr. Carr’s statements. Later, Mr. Carr appeared on a cable news program, reiterating his stance. “I’m very glad to see that America’s broadcasters are standing up to serve the interests of their community,” Mr. Carr said. “We don’t just have this progressive foie gras coming out from New York and Hollywood.”