In a recent interview with Kristen Welker of NBC News, Ty Cobb, a former White House attorney under Donald Trump and now a vocal critic of the former president, expressed deep concerns over the suspension of comedian Jimmy Kimmel by ABC. The suspension, influenced by pressure from the FCC, has stirred a significant debate about the erosion of First Amendment rights, drawing chilling parallels to authoritarian tactics historically used to suppress media freedom.

Cobb likened the situation to actions taken by Vladimir Putin at the start of his regime in Russia, where critical media outlets were either systematically silenced or taken over. "We are seeing the early signs of a similar strategy here," Cobb stated, referencing Putin's early moves to control the media narrative and eliminate dissenting voices.

The historical echoes do not end with Putin. Cobb also recalled a darker period in 1939, under Nazi Germany, when Joseph Goebbels, following Hitler’s orders, removed comedians critical of the government from the airwaves. This historical parallel underscores the gravity of the current situation where a comedian like Kimmel is suspended ostensibly for his political satire.

Moreover, Cobb pointed out that this is part of a broader pattern under Trump's influence, where late-night comedians and other media figures who criticize or mock him face reprisals. "Trump is waging war on people who offend him," Cobb noted, emphasizing the former president's focus on vengeance, facilitated by loyal subordinates like Brendan Carr of the FCC.

Cobb's stark warning included a grim joke about the future of comedy in such a political climate, suggesting that soon, only comedians who do not criticize the administration might remain unscathed. This scenario paints a bleak picture of media freedom and the role of satire in democracy, signaling potential dangers ahead if such trends continue unchecked.

Watch the full interview here, where Cobb discusses these issues in detail, highlighting the urgent need to recognize and address the creeping authoritarian practices that threaten the foundational principles of free speech and media independence in the United States.