Trump’s FCC Threatens to Change ‘Equal Time’ Rules to Suppress the Free Speech of Trump Critics

In Donald Trump’s ongoing campaign to nullify the First Amendment of the Constitution, and specifically it’s provisions to protect freedom of the press, he is becoming ever more flagrant and dangerous in his repressive scheming. And he is exhibiting his infamous weakness and fear of the tenets of democracy that shape American political and social principles.

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Trump is now instructing his Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to alter the long-standing rules regarding “Equal Time” in order to put an end to the criticism he receives from television talk show hosts and their guests. It’s just the latest tactic that he has deployed to control what the American people are allowed to see and hear on television and other media.

SEE THIS: HOLY CR*P! Trump Floats Executive Order to Dictate to TV Networks What They Are Allowed to Air

Trump’s new attempt to muzzle the media is an order to his FCC chairman and chief censorship czar, Brendan Carr, to alter the way the FCC regulates “Equal Time” rules. For decades there have been exceptions for bona fide newsworthy interviews, whether they take place on a news program or an entertainment related talk show. But since Trump has been the subject of so much well deserved criticism, he is seeking to stifle his critics any way that he can. According to the Hollywood Reporter

“The FCC said Wednesday that it is clarifying its guidance on its political equal time rules, a change that could end long-standing exemptions for interviews with politicians on shows like The View, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Tonight Show and The Late Show.” […]

“News interviews have long been exempted from the requirement, but the FCC under Carr is pursuing a novel argument that late night and daytime talk shows are biased to the extent that they shouldn’t qualify. Among the factors in considering the carve-out is newsworthiness.” […]

“In a statement, Anna Gomez, the lone Democrat on the FCC, said the move represents an ‘escalation in this FCC’s ongoing campaign to censor and control speech.’ She added, ‘Broadcasters should not feel pressured to water down, sanitize, or avoid critical coverage out of fear of regulatory retaliation.'”

It is no coincidence that Trump’s actions are aimed at programs such as “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Trump has been determined to shut those programs down due to their frequent jokes and satirical humor about him. Trump has never been able to take a joke. His efforts have resulted in Colbert’s program being canceled (effective in May), and he got Kimmel suspended, but for only three days when outraged viewers complained to the network.

After the FCC made its announcement regarding “Equal Time,” Trump posted a link to this story on his failing Twitter ripoff, Truth Social. His link contained a comment that specifically referenced the ABC daytime talk show “The View” and Kimmel’s late-night talk show.

This is just another threat to First Amendment protected speech. The changes that are being floated by Trump’s FCC would make it virtually impossible for programs like Kimmel’s to ever book a political guest, or even an entertainer who has political opinions. There would be no practical way for them to also book anyone with a different opinion. And, of course, it would impinge on their free speech rights to produce programs free of government intervention.

It’s extraordinarily hypocritical that Trump and his MAGA GOP are suddenly in favor of government asserting this sort of control when they have long advocated for small government that kept out of matters such as these. Now they are craving more government interference than ever. And they are cheering Trump on when wields the power of his office to suppress anyone who is insufficiently worshipful of him. Such as his many lawsuits against the media, including a new threat unleashed Thursday morning against pollsters who had the audacity to publish surveys showing how despised Trump is…

CRYBABY TRUMP is whining again. This time about polls that correctly show his approval ratings in the toilet.Typically, Trump lies about everything. And he says that he is filing (another) lawsuit against the press for doing their job and conducting accurate polls. #TrumpIsUnfitForOffice

News Corpse (@newscorpse.bsky.social) 2026-01-22T18:12:40.334Z

Trump won’t be happy until he has banished every one of his critics from all media. He’s following the playbook of his heroes and mentors, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Kim Jong Un. But he isn’t going to get away with it. In America we have the Constitution on our side. And as long as the millions of patriots who cherish freedom stay strong and rise up to quash Trump and his censorious comrades, he will fail again and again and again.

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