Trump says his negative media coverage is 'illegal'

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President Donald Trump on Friday criticized U.S. media for what he called excessively negative coverage, calling it “illegal,” amid controversy over the suspension of comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s show by ABC.

“They’ll take a great story and make it bad. Personally, I think it’s really illegal,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. The 79-year-old Republican, known for his love of television, repeated his claim that coverage of him and his administration is “97 percent bad.”

Trump also praised Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr, who sparked debate over free speech by threatening possible sanctions against broadcasters airing Kimmel’s show, following the comedian’s remarks on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. ABC later announced the show’s indefinite suspension. “Carr is an incredible American patriot with courage,” Trump said.

However, some, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz, expressed concern about government involvement in media regulation. Cruz compared Carr’s actions to a scene from Goodfellas, warning against threats that could resemble intimidation by organized crime.

Trump’s broader efforts against the media suffered a setback when a federal judge dismissed his $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, issuing a sharply critical ruling.