Business
Trump’s pressure on the media is mounting, with Kimmel sidelined ‘indefinitely’
Show host Jimmy Kimmel delivers his opening monologue at the 96th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 10, 2024.
Mike Blake | Reuters
President Donald Trump’s pressure on media companies is mounting.
On Wednesday, the Walt Disney Co. pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” off the air “indefinitely” from its ABC network after the host made comments linking the alleged killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement.
The move is drawing comparisons to CBS’ cancellation of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” in July and raising questions about the protection of free speech in a Trump-era broadcast environment.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA Gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said during a monologue that aired Monday night.
“In between the finger-pointing there was grieving. On Friday the White House flew the flags at half-staff, which got some criticism, but on a human level you can see how hard the president is taking this,” he continued, teeing up a clip of Trump on the White House lawn.
Trump was asked how he was holding up in the wake of Kirk’s death, to which he answered, “I think very good,” before pivoting to point out that construction had started on the new $200 million ballroom project.
“He’s at the fourth stage of grief: construction,” Kimmel joked. “Demolition. Construction. This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish. OK? And it didn’t just happen once.”
Kimmel has not been fired, but Disney heads wanted to speak with the host about what he should say when he goes back on the air, according to people familiar with the situation.
Trump weighed in on the matter Thursday, saying, “They should have fired him a long time ago. … He was fired for a lack of talent.”
FCC approval
Kimmel, ABC and Disney are the latest target of Trump’s scrutiny of media companies, which has intensified during his second term marked by high-profile defamation lawsuits, the defunding of public broadcasters and regulatory interference from the Federal Communications Commission.
“An inexcusable act of political violence by one disturbed individual must never be exploited as justification for broader censorship and control,” Anna Gomez, the lone Democratic FCC commissioner, wrote in a social media post Wednesday. “This Administration is increasingly using the weight of government power to suppress lawful expression.”
Gomez has been outspoken about the FCC’s and Trump’s interactions with media companies. In late July, when the government agency approved the merger of Paramount and Skydance, she wrote a statement of dissent, saying she was troubled by Paramount’s recent payment to settle a suit brought by Trump against Paramount-owned CBS over a “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
“The Paramount payout and this reckless approval have emboldened those who believe the government can — and should-abuse its power to extract financial and ideological concessions, demand favored treatment, and secure positive media coverage,” she wrote at the time.
It’s not the first instance of Trump interfering with media mergers. He tried to block AT&T’s $85 billion merger with Time Warner in 2017 unless it sold off CNN. Ultimately, the deal went through in mid-2018.
The suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” came amid statements from FCC Chair Brendan Carr that suggested ABC’s broadcast license was at risk because of the remarks.
In a podcast interview Wednesday, before ABC’s announcement, Carr said the FCC was “going to have remedies that we can look at” with regard to Kimmel’s comments.
“Frankly, when you see stuff like this, I mean, we can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr said. “These companies can find ways to change conduct and take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
In August, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that ABC and NBC should lose their broadcast licenses for what he called “unfair coverage of Republicans and/or Conservatives.”
“Crooked ‘journalism’ should not be rewarded, it should be terminated,” Trump said in the post.
Notably, Disney needs regulatory approval for a deal that would see the NFL buy 10% of ESPN in exchange for NFL Media assets.
Carr told CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” on Thursday that Kimmel appeared to “mislead” the American public about facts regarding Charlie Kirk’s killing in the days leading up to his show’s suspension.
“The issue that arose here, where lots and lots of people were upset, was not a joke,” Carr said.
“It was not making fun,” Carr said. “It was appearing to directly mislead the American public about a significant fact that probably one of the most significant political events we’ve had in a long time, for the most significant political assassination we’ve seen in a long time.”
The show’s suspension also came after Nexstar Media Group said its ABC-affiliated stations would preempt Kimmel’s show “for the foreseeable future” beginning Wednesday.
Nexstar is seeking FCC approval for its planned $6.2 billion merger with Tegna. About 10% of the approximately 225 ABC affiliate stations are owned by Nexstar. Tegna owns about 5% of ABC’s affiliate stations.
Sinclair, which owns around 40 ABC affiliate stations, also indefinitely preempted “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” It said it would not lift that suspension until it had a formal discussion with ABC about the network’s “commitment to professionalism and accountability” and called on Kimmel to issue a direct apology to Kirk’s family.
Sinclair said in August it is exploring merger options for its broadcast stations, though it hasn’t yet reached a deal.
Retaliatory actions
In addition to clashes with the FCC, media companies have also been the target of defamation lawsuits in recent years. Paramount’s $16 million payout to settle Trump’s suit was the result of the most recent case.
A lawsuit against ABC News was settled in December 2024, in which the network agreed to pay $15 million toward Trump’s presidential library after Trump claimed anchor George Stephanopoulos made an inaccurate on-air assertion that the then-president-elect had been found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump had been found liable for sexually assaulting and defaming Carroll. Trump denies Carroll’s claims that he attacked her.
Trump is currently suing The New York Times over articles and a book published during the 2024 campaign and The Wall Street Journal for a story that connected him to Jeffrey Epstein.
Additionally, Trump has barred specific reporters and whole news organizations from pooled press events for not using preferred terminology or for being critical of Trump.
The Associated Press is currently restricted from access to White House spaces like the Oval Office and Air Force One because it would not adopt the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. And former CNN reporter Jim Acosta had his credentials stripped back in 2018 after clashing with Trump. The ban was later overturned.
— CNBC’s Alex Sherman, Luke Fountain and Dan Mangan contributed to this report.
Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal, which owns CNBC. Versant would become the new parent company of CNBC upon Comcast’s planned spinoff of Versant.
Correction: This article has been updated to reflect that Jimmy Kimmel’s comments aired on his show Monday night. A previous version misstated the day.
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The exchange announced that the pre-opening session will take place from 1:30 pm to 1.45 pm
The market will remain closed for regular trading on Diwali, but a special trading window will be open for one hour.
Stock exchanges NSE and BSE will conduct a special Muhurat trading session on Tuesday, October 21, to mark the festival of Diwali, the bourses announced on Monday.
The symbolic trading session will be held between 1:45 pm and 2:45 pm, the stock exchanges said in separate circulars.
Last year, the special Muhurat trading session was held from 6 pm to 7 pm.
The new session also marks the beginning of a new Samvat (Vikram Samvat 2082) — the Hindu calendar year that starts on Diwali — and it is believed that trading during the ‘Muhurat’ or auspicious hour brings prosperity and financial growth for the stakeholders.
The market will remain closed for regular trading on Diwali, but a special trading window will be open for one hour.
The exchange announced that the pre-opening session will take place from 1:30 pm to 1.45 pm.
Market analysts noted that Diwali is considered an auspicious occasion to begin new ventures, and many investors believe participating in the Muhurat trading session brings prosperity throughout the year.
However, with the trading window limited to just an hour, the markets often witness heightened volatility. Analysts added that the significance of the session lies more in its symbolic value than in immediate profitability.
Trading would take place across various segments like equity, commodity derivatives, currency derivatives, equity futures & options, and securities lending & borrowing (SLB) in the same time slot, according to separate circulars issued by the bourses. PTI SP SHW
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
September 22, 2025, 20:34 IST
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Gold Prices Hit Record Rs 1.11 Lakh per 10 Grams, Silver Tops Rs 1.33 Lakh/kg As Safe-Haven Demand And Weak Rupee Push Bullion To All-Time Highs
New Delhi: Gold prices in India climbed to unprecedented levels on Monday, with futures trading touching Rs 1,11,750 per 10 grams — a fresh all-time high. The December delivery contract on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) rose by Rs 799 (about 0.72 percent) to reach this peak, as investors reacted to global cues including expected US inflation data and remarks from Federal Reserve officials.
Silver followed suit, with brisk gains across delivery contracts. The March silver futures, for example, surged by Rs 2,446 (nearly 1.86 percent ) to settle at Rs 1,33,582 per kilogram. The December silver contract also breached previous highs, jumping by Rs 2,473 (almost 1.9 percent) to hit Rs 1,32,311/kg.
Analysts believe several factors are pushing precious metal prices upward:
A weaker Indian rupee, which makes imports costlier.
Geopolitical tension and global macroeconomic uncertainty, leading investors to seek safe-haven assets like gold.
Inflation expectations in the US, along with signals from the Fed about possible future rate cuts.
Industrial demand boosting silver — especially for applications in solar panels, electronics, EVs and other green technologies.
Some experts are now forecasting that silver might push toward Rs 1,40,000–Rs 1,50,000 per kg in the near term, depending on supply trends and ongoing demand.
For now, the current price levels mark a new benchmark in the bullion market — signalling both investor caution and eagerness, as global and domestic forces combine to reshape what was already a strong run upward.
Gatwick Airport’s £2.2 billion second runway plan could create thousands of jobs and help “kickstart the economy”, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said.
In the privately financed project, the West Sussex airport will move its emergency runway 12 metres north, enabling it to be used for departures of narrow-bodied planes such as Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s.
This will enable it to be used for about 100,000 more flights a year.
Ms Reeves said: “This Government promised to kickstart the economy – and we are.
“A second runway at Gatwick means thousands of more jobs and billions more in investment for the economy.”
The Chancellor views the plan as a signal of the Government’s commitment to back “the builders, not the blockers”.
She said: “By slashing red tape and transforming the planning system to get Britain building again we are investing in this country’s renewal and building an economy that works for working people.”
Ms Reeves is keen to seize on any positive news for the economy as she prepares for her November 26 Budget against a backdrop of sluggish growth and inflation remaining stubbornly above target.
The Gatwick scheme has been given the go-ahead by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.
She backed the scheme as a “no-brainer” for economic growth, a Government source said, suggesting flights could take off from the new full runway before 2029.
The Cabinet minister is satisfied with adjustments made, covering issues such as noise mitigation and the proportion of passengers who would travel to and from the airport by public transport.
It comes after the Planning Inspectorate initially rejected the airport’s application and earlier this year recommended Ms Alexander should approve the project if the changes were made.
New commitments include a legally binding target for the proportion of passengers who travel to Gatwick by public transport, rather than the airport’s management setting its own targets.
Residents affected by more noise will be able to ask Gatwick to cover the costs for triple-glazed windows.
Homeowners, living directly beneath the new flight routes who choose to sell could have their stamp duty and reasonable moving costs paid, as well as estate agent fees of up to 1% of the purchase price.
Gatwick says its plans will create £1 billion per year in economic benefits, and generate an additional 14,000 jobs.
A Government source told the PA news agency: “With capacity constraints holding back business, trade and tourism, this is a no-brainer for growth.
“This Government has taken unprecedented steps to get this done, navigating a needlessly complex planning system, which our reforms will simplify in future.
“It is possible that planes could be taking off from a new full runway at Gatwick before the next general election.”
The source said the expansion must be delivered in line with climate change commitments and meet strict environmental requirements.
Local campaigners opposed to expansion are concerned about the impact on surface transport, noise, housing provision and wastewater treatment, but the airport insists it has conducted “full and thorough assessments” of those issues.
Cagne, an umbrella aviation community and environment group for Sussex, Surrey and Kent, said it stands ready to serve a judicial review funded by residents and environmental bodies.
The group said: “We know this Government cares little for the environmental impact aviation is having on our planet and Gatwick’s neighbours, but not to demand that Gatwick pays for the infrastructure, the onsite wastewater treatment plant, and noise impact is unlawful in our book.”
The Labour Government’s backing of a third runway at Heathrow Airport in its bid to grow the economy has also drawn criticism from environmental groups and opposition politicians.
The move was welcomed by shadow transport secretary Richard Holden, who accused Labour of delaying the “key” decision.
He said: “This decision should have been made months ago. Labour pledged to go ‘further and faster’ on growth, yet they’ve dithered and delayed at every turn.
“Pushing key decisions down the road has only created uncertainty for businesses and local communities.”
But Green Party leader Zack Polanski said: “Labour keeps wheeling out the same nonsense about growth, but at what cost? What this really means is more pollution, more noise for local communities, and no real economic benefit.”
Stewart Wingate, Vinci Airports managing director for the UK and former Gatwick chief executive, said: “After a lengthy and rigorous planning process, we welcome the Government’s approval of plans to bring our Northern Runway into routine use, ahead of the expected deadline.
“This is another important gateway in the planning process for this £2.2bn investment, which is fully funded by our shareholders and will unlock significant growth, tourism and trade benefits for London Gatwick and the UK and create thousands of jobs.
“As we’ve said previously, it is essential that any planning conditions enable us to realise the full benefits of the project and do not impose unnecessary constraints that make it uneconomic to invest in.
“We now need to carefully examine the details of the planning consent. Once we have done that, we will be able to comment further.”
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