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In a striking turn of events, Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr has stirred significant conversation online by sharing a post from former President Donald Trump that criticized liberal late-night host Seth Meyers. This incident has raised eyebrows regarding the intersection of government authority and media scrutiny.
On Saturday, Trump expressed his disdain for Meyers through a post on Truth Social, claiming that the host suffers from an incurable case of Trump Derangement Syndrome. Trump wrote, “NBC’s Seth Meyers is suffering from an incurable case of Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS). He was viewed last night in an uncontrollable rage, likely due to the fact that his ‘show’ is a Ratings DISASTER. Aside from everything else, Meyers has no talent, and NBC should fire him, IMMEDIATELY!” These severe accusations reflect a broader theme in Trump’s criticisms of media figures who challenge him.
Carr amplified Trump’s remarks by sharing a screenshot of the post on X, without offering any additional comments. This action elicited strong reactions from many individuals, particularly from progressives who view Carr’s endorsement of Trump’s sentiments as an inappropriate overreach of governmental influence.
Political Reactions and Concerns
Reactions to Carr’s resharing were swift. Notably, Joe Jones, a Democrat from North Carolina, criticized Carr, writing, “So Trump lashes out at Seth Meyers and says NBC should fire him and Trump’s chairman of the FCC who regulates NBC reposts it … because that’s how things work in North Korea.” Such comments underscore fears that Carr’s actions could signal a troubling trend of government officials trying to influence media operations.
Former Michigan Congressman Justin Amash, a vocal critic of Trump and former Republican, echoed these sentiments by tweeting, “Abolish the FCC. The government shouldn’t be pressuring companies with respect to late-night hosts, comedians, or anyone else for monologues, commentary, or jokes—whether their words are insightful, ignorant, funny, boring, politically neutral, or politically biased.” This sentiment reflects a broader belief among critics that the FCC should not become a tool for enforcing political correctness in comedy.
Moreover, liberal commentator Matthew Yglesias remarked on X that the situation felt reminiscent of a time when the FCC was considered to be censoring comedians, reigniting debates about government oversight of media content.
The FCC’s History with Comedy
Carr has previously made headlines this year when he suggested that the FCC could pursue actions against ABC and Disney following comments made by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel regarding an assassination attempt. Carr described Kimmel’s remarks as “some of the sickest conduct” and hinted that the FCC might intervene if companies do not take appropriate action against controversial content. His comments raised alarms among media critics, including some conservatives, about government overreach.
“Look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or, you know, there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead,” Carr stated. The potential consequences of such comments have led to widespread discussion about the limits of governmental authority regarding media and entertainment.
Kimmel himself faced backlash for his remarks, which led to a brief suspension from Disney. However, he was later reinstated and expressed regret if his comments were misinterpreted. The situation illustrates the delicate balance between political discourse and the freedoms of expression within the media landscape.
Trump’s Continued Attacks on Media Figures
Trump has not shied away from criticizing Meyers in the past. In early November, he referred to Meyers as the “least talented person,” continuing a pattern of targeting media personalities who question his administration. Trump, in another post, questioned why NBC would invest in a host he deemed lacking in talent and ratings. He asserted, “Why does NBC waste its time and money on a guy like this? – NO TALENT, NO RATINGS, 100% ANTI TRUMP, WHICH IS PROBABLY ILLEGAL!”
The polarization surrounding Meyers’ commentary on Trump, particularly during his
