The assassination of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was a shocking act of political violence.
Kirk often promoted views that many found offensive or racist. Still, he also emphasized that free expression was a core American principle.
“We’ve allowed far too many people who hate America to move here from abroad,” the late conservative activist once said, “but the right to speak freely is the birthright of all Americans.”
That principle is now being challenged.
In the days following his death, networks and individuals faced punishment for their responses.
ABC suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” after a monologue criticizing Kirk. Further, FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened ABC affiliates with regulatory action unless Kimmel was silenced. That is not private accountability — it is government coercion.
Even Sen. Ted Cruz, who is not an ally of the left, condemned this abuse of power.
“It might feel good right now to threaten Jimmy Kimmel,” Cruz warned. “But when it is used to silence every conservative in America, we will regret it.”
His words highlight a dangerous hypocrisy: The same voices that decried “cancel culture” are now embracing it when convenient.
At the heart of this is President Donald Trump.
Now in his second term since losing the election to former Democratic President Joe Biden in 2020 and defeating former Vice President Kamala Harris (D) in 2024, Trump has established a pattern of attacking critics — whether comedians, journalists, or political opponents — and using his platform and influence to silence them.
Today, that tendency– particularly among the Trump administration and other conservative leaders– has become official policy. What was once rhetoric about “fake news” is now a campaign to suppress dissent, often under the guise of protecting decency or national unity.
It’s important to recognize the stakes.
In the 198-year history of the Black Press, African American-owned newspapers, such as the almost 61-year-old Washington Informer, have always spoken truth to power, often challenging popular opinion. If comedians can be taken off the air and networks threatened, what’s to stop government or corporate pressure from targeting minority media next?
The First Amendment does not protect speech selectively. It defends dissent, criticism, and even speech we despise. If those in power weaken that protection for short-term gains, all communities — especially vulnerable ones — risk losing out.
Free speech should not become the latest victim in America’s culture wars.