'Dangerous as hell': Ted Cruz compares FCC chair's threats against ABC to mob tactics (Caveat included)

[LeftInTX]

Caveat spoiler: Cruz can't stand Jimmy Kimmel. And is glad that he's gone. But he strongly disagrees with the FCC getting involved.

GOP Sen. Ted Cruz on Friday denounced Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr’s threats to pull ABC’s broadcast license as “unbelievably dangerous” and compared some of his rhetoric to “mafioso” tactics.

In an episode of his podcast, “Verdict with Ted Cruz,” released on Friday, the Texas Republican said he was “thrilled” Jimmy Kimmel was pulled off the air by ABC over his comments about conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. But he said he strongly disagreed with the government policing speech, asserting it could come back to bite conservatives when Democrats retake power.

“I hate what Jimmy Kimmel said. I am thrilled that he was fired,” Cruz said. “But let me tell you: If the government gets in the business of saying, ‘We don’t like what you, the media, have said. We’re going to ban you from the airwaves if you don’t say what we like,’ that will end up bad for conservatives.”

Though Carr’s comments have drawn widespread condemnation on the left, Cruz’s remarks represent one of the strongest denunciations of the threats against broadcasters by an elected conservative. Cruz also chairs the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which has broad authority over the FCC.



https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/19/politics/ted-cruz-fcc-abc-mob

[leftstreet]

1. My, my. The GOP appears to be in disarray

DURec

[SheltieLover]

4. ...

[Janbdwl72]

2. As a Texas resident,

That statement in part, is one of the best I've heard from Cruz in a good while. I say in part because I don't agree it's good that Jimmy K. was fired.

The other statements go back to the 2016 primaries when he often sternly (and deservedly) criticized the Retaliator-in-Chief many times.

[UTUSN]

3. He tosses one tiny crumb but backtracks to loving CARR. He prolly just wants to pass his Continuing Education exam.

[Qutzupalotl]

5. Huh. Ted Cruz was good for something.

I guess there's a first for everything.

I'll respond in kind: I couldn't stand Charlie Kirk. I hated the things he said. But he didn't deserve to be shot. Not even after saying he doesn't care about shooting victims.

[Krazy_Kat]

6. Lyin' Ted is at it again-and so is CNN!

Kimmel's comments were about the right's reaction to Kirk's death and how they were quick to point the finger at the left, not about Kirk.

[tanyev]

7. Good heavens, be careful outside today. Eyes up!

[walkingman]

8. Ted Cruz is an embarrassment to the State of Texas and the US Government.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

9. Broken clock is right twice a day