Center for American Rights Files FCC Complaint over Kimmel’s personal use of the public airwaves
Today, the Center for American Rights formally submitted a complaint letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr calling for honesty and accountability from late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and his team at Jimmy Kimmel Live! Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs on ABC affiliate networks across the country and is subject to regulatory oversight by the Federal Communications Commission.
The complaint highlights how Kimmel, an openly left-wing public figure, utilizes his show — and therefore the public airwaves — to advance his own political interests. Moreover, Kimmel has repeatedly hosted Democrats to whom he’s personally financially supported on Live!, without disclosing that information to his audience. The Center argues this is a clear violation of FCC policies, specifically those regarding conflicts of interest.
“Late-night hosts are notorious for using their airtime to support the left and disparage the right. ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel is perhaps the worst offender,” Daniel Suhr, President of the Center for American Rights, said. “Kimmel consistently utilizes the public airwaves to advance his own personal political agenda, which is a clear violation of longstanding FCC rules.”
The complaint cites a Media Research Center analysis which showcases Kimmel’s unrelenting bias: “Kimmel targeted the GOP ticket 97 percent of the time, telling 504 total jokes about the Republican ticket compared to 18 about the Democratic ticket.” Beyond the jokes, however, Kimmel has openly campaigned for his own guests, including the Biden-Harris-Walz ticket.
“Kimmel is making a mockery of the American people by including major left-wing voices as just another ‘guest’ on the show,” Suhr said. “The reality is that he has skin in the game: he’s financially supporting the Democratic Party, hosting massive fundraising events, and then bringing these candidates on his show for a free, softball interview.”
The Center’s letter argues that the FCC should investigate this misuse of the airwaves and work to develop policy that recognizes the gray area of entertainment television, while also protecting the American people, their tax dollars, and their interests.