- Donald Trump asserted that he is against negative news coverage of him and suggested that television networks should have their broadcast licenses revoked.
- He made these comments in the Oval Office, linking them to his belief that despite his election victory, news coverage remained overwhelmingly negative.
- Trump's remarks followed Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr's demand that ABC affiliate stations refuse to air Jimmy Kimmel's show, leading to its indefinite suspension.
- He argued that such negative reporting, which he claimed was 97-94% against him, constitutes “cheating” and is not protected by free speech, likening networks to “offshoots of the Democrat National Committee”.
- Texas Senator Ted Cruz criticized Carr's actions as “unbelievably dangerous” and “mafioso” tactics, despite personally welcoming Kimmel's suspension, though Trump defended Carr as a “great patriot”.
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