"September saw a raft of moves that observers on all sides saw as an assault on free speech. In the wake of the shocking killing of activist Charlie Kirk, Trump Attorney General Pam Bondi drew criticism for threatening to go after people over hate speech including mockery or celebration of Kirk's assassination. Trump also blurted out an escalating series of rants essentially warning that criticizing him is now illegal, and floated pulling FCC licenses as a consequence."
"Respondents to the poll were asked Would you support or oppose the following? Threatening to remove broadcast licenses from TV networks critical of Donald Trump. A whopping 74 percent responded that they Somewhat oppose or Stronyly oppose the policy versus just 12 percent who support it. Even among Trump voters, 62 percent were opposed versus just 26 percent who supported the idea and 61% to 22% among Republicans."
"Trump also blurted out an escalating series of rants essentially warning that criticizing him is now illegal, and floated pulling FCC licenses as a consequence. Additionally, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel was suspended under intimidation from Trump and FCC chief Brendan Carr, and Trump announced he was designating Antifa a terrorist organization. Kimmel was reinstated after a wave of Disney+ cancellations, but major affiliate owners Sinclair Broadcasting and Nextstar said they would not air the show, citing comments by Carr. Within days, both relented."
A YouGov poll taken at month-end found strong opposition to threatening to remove broadcast licenses from networks critical of President Donald Trump, with 74 percent opposing and 12 percent supporting. Opposition included 62 percent of Trump voters and 61 percent of Republicans. September featured multiple actions perceived as assaults on free speech, including threats from Attorney General Pam Bondi after activist Charlie Kirk's killing, Trump’s public rants about criminalizing criticism and pulling FCC licenses, and the temporary suspension and reinstatement of Jimmy Kimmel amid broadcaster pushback. The license-revocation idea ranked lowest among thirty Trump policies; only eight policies received net support.
Read at www.mediaite.com
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