“Hacks” Creators: The Trump Admin Is Clamping Down on Comedians

I will sing it and I can't even sing.

Wow. Thank you. Audiences will love that.

Yeah, if you wants subscribers, don't do that.

Don't do that.

[Journalist] You have the FCC investigating, you know,

ABC affiliates over diversity, but really it's because,

and my fact-checkers are gonna be upset at me here,

but really it's because Jimmy Kimmel made a joke

that the president didn't like about his wife,

potentially, becoming a widow.

I mean, how do you feel sort of sitting where you sit

and overseeing the show that you oversee

and watching that stuff play out,

especially as sort of, you know, comedians yourselves

and people with careers in this industry.

How do you watch this and what do you have to say about it?

I think part of the reason that it, in some ways.

was prescient that that happened is because,

you know, we are in a growing authoritarian

or spreading authoritarian regime here.

It's becoming increasingly unlivable

to live in this country.

And as a result, people are really frustrated

and this government is clamping down further and further.

And then who's on the front lines of saying,

Hey, this is really bad.

Most often comedians are the people speaking truth to power.

Yeah, it's true. So of course,

the first people they're clamping down on

are the people who are saying, Hey, this is really bad.

This administration is not great.

People can't live. This is really bad.

And because people can take those messages,

are more likely to absorb those messages

when it's done in a humorous way,

it's the way that you're able to spread this truth telling,

which is, Hey, society right now is unlivable.

And because comedians are able to get

that message across the most effectively, naturally,

that's the first group of people

that they're going after, in terms of free speech.

And journalists. And journalists, you guys.

which is why I'm a member

and I love my WIRED subscription.

Subscribe now.

We are so grateful and thank you so much.

I'm gonna have you record that as a separate ad.

I absolutely will. I will.