US President Donald Trump has suggested that some television networks should have their licences revoked, following a controversy over coverage of a recent political killing in Utah.

Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, criticized networks as overwhelmingly negative toward him—“97% against me”—and said their licences “should be taken away” for perceived bias.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), led by Chair Brendan Carr, criticized remarks made by a late-night TV host and praised broadcasters like Nexstar, which suspended the show. Carr warned other networks that regulatory action could follow if they do not comply.

Critics argue that these moves threaten free speech protected under the US Constitution’s First Amendment. Late-night hosts, actors, and trade unions, including the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild, condemned the suspension. Former President Barack Obama said the administration has taken “cancel culture to a new and dangerous level.”

Hosts like Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart defended free speech, while Nobel laureate Maria Ressa drew parallels with censorship in the Philippines, warning that rights can be lost if not actively protected.

Meanwhile, some commentators, including Greg Gutfeld and Piers Morgan, argued the suspension reflected consequences for offensive commentary rather than censorship. FCC commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, criticized the agency’s stance, calling it unjustified to use the actions of one individual as a pretext for broader media control.

The controversy has sparked a nationwide debate on the balance between free speech, accountability, and government influence over media in the United States.