United States President Donald Trump has issued another strong statement against the media, suggesting revoking the licenses of several television networks that, according to him, are biased and broadcast unreliable information. Asked by reporters aboard Air Force One, while returning from a state visit to the United Kingdom, Trump said he was pleased with the suspension of comedian and host Jimmy Kimmel's show, but warned that this will not remain an isolated case.
"The networks were 97% against me. Yet I won the election. I won easily in the swing states. They were mostly reporting against me. I think their licenses should be revoked. These shows have no credibility," Trump said, underlining that the American public needs media that he says upholds standards of truthfulness and transparency.
The US president's statements come at the same time as Jimmy Kimmel's suspension from the screen has been met with harsh criticism. In various cities in the United States, including New York, many citizens have protested against this decision, considering it a flagrant violation of freedom of speech. On various banners and slogans, demonstrators demanded the return of the presenter to the screen with messages such as "Kimmel Stay!" and "Trump Must Go". On the other hand, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Brendan Carr, has expressed a strong position regarding the responsibility of television networks. "We will continue to hold these broadcasters accountable to the public interest and if they do not like this solution, they can surrender their license," Carr emphasized, implying that similar measures could be taken against other networks.
These developments have sparked a broad debate in the US about the limits of freedom of expression and the role of the state in relation to the media. Critics warn that threats to revoke licenses and direct interference in the editorial content of television networks constitute a dangerous precedent for American democracy. On the other hand, supporters of President Trump argue that the proposed measures are necessary to guarantee a more balanced media landscape and to protect citizens from what they call “manipulated information” aimed at damaging the president’s image.
