Podcst

Why FCC Chair Brendan Carr Is a Dangerous Moron

On with Kara Swisher

Vox Media

May 21, 2026

Show Notes

Kara is joined by FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, Knight First Amendment Institute executive director Jameel Jaffer, and The Verge editor-in-chief Nilay Patel to discuss FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s escalating campaign against media companies, broadcasters and speech President Trump dislikes.


They discuss Carr’s threatsagainst ABC/Disney, his attempts to revive old rules around “equal time” and “newsdistortion,” and the Trump administration's broader push to controlfederal agencies. They also explain how Carr's actions create a chilling effect on free speech, and why media companies must fight back. Plus: Why Nilay says Carr's actions towards broadcasters are a "test balloon" for future internet regulation.


Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Bluesky @onwithkaraswisher.

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Why FCC Chair Brendan Carr Is a Dangerous Moron — Podcst