CNN host Brianna Keilar and Rep. Barry Moore

Rep. Barry Moore (R‑Ala.) was grilled by CNN host Brianna Keilar Thursday over his insistence that ABC cancelled late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s show due to poor ratings — not because of pressure from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr.

On Wednesday, ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely after Carr publicly condemned Kimmel’s remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death and hinted at regulatory consequences, which many critics say created pressure on the network.

During a segment on CNN Thursday afternoon, Moore said, “This seems to me that was a business decision. Much like Fox took Tucker Carlson down. They make decisions. And certainly the audience may move with the host, but that’s the audience choice. And so I think ABC made the decision.”

“How is this not government censorship?” Keilar asked the lawmaker.

“How is it government censorship?” he said. “To me, it’s a business decision. And these companies have to run based on what’s best for their economy, what’s best for their customers and the customers or the viewers.”

“You heard what the FCC chairman said, and you’re trying to say that there’s no connection between these two things.”

“None at all,” Moore replied.

"You're going in circles," the host told the Alabama Republican.

Keilar also played Carr’s comment, where he said, “You know, when you look at the conduct that has taken place by Jimmy Kimmel, it appears to be some of the sickest conduct possible.”

“I mean, look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action. Frankly, on Kimmel or, you know, change conduct.”

Even after listening to his comments, More insisted, “It’s a business decision, plain and simple.”

Keiler called him out, saying: “You’re trying to tell us, it’s not from what the FCC chair said, that’s just not believable."

"They could also draw a conclusion that there was clearly a potential cause and effect here. Certainly the effect here. Certainly the appearance of one. And you were ignoring that fact,” she said.

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