US President Donald Trump has lashed out at television networks that report negatively about him, suggesting that some of them could lose their broadcasting licenses.
These comments came after the ABC network suspended comedian Jimmy Kimmel for statements regarding the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Speaking from Air Force One after a state visit to Britain, Trump said: "I read that 97% of the coverage of me is negative, yet I won all the key states in the last election. These networks have licenses, maybe they should be taken away." He accused the media of slandering and spreading hatred against him.
Kimmel's suspension came after a monologue in which he suggested that Charlie Kirk's killer might have been a Trump supporter. Authorities in Utah said the suspect was indoctrinated with left-wing ideology, sparking a backlash in the conservative camp.
The Federal Communications Commission, led by Brendan Carr, reacted immediately, accusing Kimmel of "unhealthy behavior" and warning ABC of consequences. Carr said that broadcasters must "take concrete action" or be prepared for regulatory intervention by the FCC.
He also commended the Nexstar network for stopping airing Kimmel's show and called for other networks to follow suit.