The First Amendment that gives citizens of the United States free speech is a crucial part in our democracy, but that democracy hastily begins to erode when those in charge use their power to silence critics. President Donald Trump has recently made headlines for his increasing actions in doing just that, Trump has been seen targeting journalists, entertainers, and comedians who have decided to mock his administration.
This is no recent controversy however, Trump’s behavior is not only illustrated through his actions but his rhetoric as well. During Trump’s first term in February 2017, the president labeled the media “The Enemy of the people!” as he took to twitter for another one of his infamous rants stating “The FAKE NEWS media is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American people!” Although the sentiment “fake news is bad for this country” may sound valid to some, all credibility is lost when you realize “fake news” really means anyone who doesn’t 100% agree with him. This rhetoric perpetuated by the President helps rally his supporters under ideas that delegitimizes journalists and creates a space where critical coverage over a president is seen as treasonous rather than an exercise of free speech.
Trump’s attacks on the foundations of democracy are not just verbal. In 2018, Donald Trump ordered the removal of CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s press credentials after an exchange the two had at a press conference. This obviously violated the First Amendment, as the President has the ability to ban anyone he deems unworthy of press credentials. Luckily, Acosta’s credentials were later restored with the help of a federal judge who disagreed with the President’s actions, stating it went against the idea of a free press.
It doesn’t end there: Trump’s war on speech has once again reached headlines. In September of 2025, Trump targeted late night talk shows, including Jimmy Kimmel, whose show was pulled off air by ABC after Kimmel allegedly mocked the assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk,Trump, and his fellow republicans. Whether Kimmel’s comments were genuinely offensive is for one’s interpretation; however, reports illustrate that Jimmy Kimmel was pulled off air due to political preassure—laiming Trump had pressured the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) to pull the plug— illustrating government intervention. After negotiations, Jimmy Kimmel found himself back on air for the first time in almost a week where he addressed the nation, stating, “Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke.” Which was then followed by Trump threatening to sue ABC over on his social media app Truth Social:
Trump has also gone as far as to threaten to remove the broadcast licenses of any network that criticizes him.
The important idea behind “free speech” is to protect voices—even if we find them disagreeable. Donald Trump targeting journalists, late night talk shows, and threatening to remove the broadcast license of anyone who challenged him is a clear federal overreach. When DT treats his criticism as an attack on the nation, democracy deteriorates.
https://www.npr.org/2025/09/18/nx-s1-5544559/abc-jimmy-kimmel-comments-charlie-kirk