'Pure insanity': Alabama news anchor under fire for quoting Islamic terrorist during sign-off



An Alabama news anchor drew fierce backlash after she quoted the founder of a designated terrorist organization during her on-air sign-off.

During a Thursday evening broadcast on Birmingham's ABC 33/40, WBMA-LD, Ashonti Ford, 38, told viewers, "Before we go, a quote from the founder of the Islamic Brotherhood: 'The quieter you become, the more you're able to hear.'"

'The intent of our closing segment is always to end the newscast on a positive and thoughtful note.'

Ford was quoting the late Muslim Brotherhood founder Hassan al-Banna.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) reacted to the on-air moment, writing in a post on X, "Pure insanity. The Radical Muslim Brotherhood is a TERRORIST ORGANIZATION."

One X user responded, "Who made the decision to use the quote? That clown has to go!"

"She needs to be terminated!!" another individual wrote in response to Ford's comments.

RELATED: 'Property of Allah': Austin mass shooting possibly act of terrorism, officials say

Hassan al-Banna. AFP/Getty Images

In January, the State and Treasury Departments designated Muslim Brotherhood branches as Specially Designated Global Terrorist groups.

Jeff Cox, a news director for ABC 33/40, which Sinclair Broadcast Group operates, apologized for the quotation on Monday, AL.com reported.

"The intent of our closing segment is always to end the newscast on a positive and thoughtful note," Cox said. "The quote included that evening was not intended to convey any political or ideological message."

"However, we understand it was perceived that way and on behalf of the station, I sincerely apologize to those who were offended," Cox added.

He asserted that Ford had no role in selecting the quote and stated that the matter was addressed internally.

"Although this quote was read by Ashonti Ford, Ashonti had nothing to do with the selection," Cox continued. "We have addressed the matter internally, and we are making adjustments to ensure our content consistently meets our editorial standards moving forward."

RELATED: Islamic sports event tied to designated terrorist group prompts Gov. Abbott to put pressure on Texas school district

ELVIS BARUKCIC/AFP/Getty Images

A Sinclair spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "ABC 33/40 is reinforcing its editorial review protocols to ensure content aligns with the station's standards."

"ABC 33/40 has an established editorial process for reviewing content. In this case, that process fell short, and the station has taken steps to strengthen it moving forward," the spokesperson continued. "The station's on-air talent was not involved in the selection of the quote. This was an editorial matter, which has been addressed through our internal processes."

Ford was not disciplined and remains on air, according to Fox News Digital.

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Trump’s FCC Is Right To Make Late-Night TV Follow ‘Equal Airtime’ Rules

When it gave them an excuse to grouse about a Republican on late-night, Democrats were all for the equal-time rule.

Unions, activists, and Bernie Sanders unite to protect their favorite censorship tool



If you want to know how conservatives should think about media ownership policy, a good starting point is to head opposite the people who think that President Trump and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr are “autocratic,” “fascist,” and engaged in “mob-style government.” Those are charges levied in recent comments from Free Press, a left-wing nonprofit opposing the proposed reforms to the FCC’s rules capping ownership of broadcast stations.

A strong conservative consensus exists in favor of reform or outright repeal of the ownership limits. Exhibit A is a letter signed by leaders of 18 conservative organizations, including Heritage Action, the Center for Renewing America, Americans for Prosperity, and Americans for Tax Reform. This represents a broad coalition from MAGA to the Reaganite right.

Reading the list of commentators reveals a 'who’s who' of the irrelevant and Trump-hating.

A few voices now feign uncertainty about where the White House or FCC will land. But conservatives don’t need a crystal ball. When every liberal and left-wing advocacy shop in Washington locks arms on one side of a policy debate, the right answer is almost always the opposite.

The liberal groups are not powerful in themselves — Democrat FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez has already sent strong signals that she opposes repeal, and in all events, her single vote cannot stop commission action as long as Republican appointees remain united. But the position of Gomez and her outside allies on the left on a controversial policy question should give any conservative pause — why would we agree with the other party?

When the commission last invited comment on this topic in August, TVTech reported, “a large number of filings from unions, consumer groups, civil rights groups, church groups, liberal organizations, free speech advocates and others have come out strongly opposed to any change to the current 39% ownership cap.” Indeed, reading the list of commentators reveals a “who’s who” of the irrelevant and Trump-hating.

The unions, for instance, include the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians and the News Guild. The Writers Guild of America, which also opposes the reforms, recently attacked President Trump for a supposed “un-American … unprecedented, authoritarian assault” on the First Amendment, complete with the line: “We don’t have a king, we have a president.” These are the advocates of maintaining the caps on media ownership by Nexstar, Sinclair, and others.

Another joint FCC filing included a laundry list of left-wing groups: United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, the Hispanic Federation, and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network separately weighed in, warning that reform would be contrary to its mission of “economic justice, political empowerment, and fair representation in all aspects of public life.” The horror!

RELATED: The media just told you their 2026 strategy: ‘Lies, but better!’

Photo by Moor Studio/Getty Images

This isn’t the FCC’s first time down this path. When the first Trump administration floated reforms along these lines, 21 Senate Democrats and one independent (Bernie Sanders) sent a letter opposing any further flexibility under the caps. This has been liberal orthodoxy for decades.

Hollywood labor unions, left-wing pressure groups, Al Sharpton, Bernie Sanders — these are not normally reliable predictors of good policy. Broken clocks may still be right twice a day, but this is not one of those moments. Trump administration leaders should be deeply skeptical when they’re asked to be on the same side as all of these people.

Violence gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back



Last week, ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel told a big lie on national television. He claimed Charlie Kirk had been assassinated by a conservative MAGA supporter. This wasn’t a bad joke — it was a deliberate attempt to cover for left-wing violence and deceive millions of people.

After a campaign pressuring advertisers and affiliates, ABC suspended Kimmel, saying he wouldn’t immediately return to the air. Progressives screamed about “cancel culture” and circulated petitions, apparently more concerned about a millionaire losing his low-rated show than about a murdered father.

The right, paralyzed by fear of bad press, has given the left a free pass. That timidity has only encouraged more bloodshed.

Then came the threats. Violent warnings poured into ABC affiliates, culminating in a leftist shooting up a station in Sacramento. Shortly afterward, ABC announced that Kimmel would return to the air. The lesson for the left was simple: Violence and terrorism work.

The Trump moment

When Donald Trump was shot on stage in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year, the entire world held its breath. His supporters didn’t flee; they froze, waiting to see if their leader had been killed. If a leftist assassin had succeeded, civil war was on the table. Then Trump stood and raised a defiant fist, and the nation exhaled. Not only because he had survived, but because the darkest path had been narrowly avoided.

That moment should have been a turning point. Trump entered office with energy, issuing a flurry of executive orders. But he never confronted the left-wing groups and the institutions that had normalized violence. He wanted a stable economy and secure borders, but left-wing radicals continued to act as if they had a special right to political violence. By letting them get away with assassination attempts and street terror, Trump ensured that another wave was inevitable.

Excuses and celebrations

After Kirk’s assassination on Sept. 10, some progressives mouthed words about lowering the temperature. Almost all of them hedged by smearing the victim or blaming “both sides.” Meanwhile, a disturbingly large faction openly celebrated the murder. Their message was clear: They would never abandon violence as long as it kept paying dividends.

Even Kimmel’s brief firing — for telling a malicious lie that threatened ABC’s broadcast license — was more than they could tolerate. For perspective: When an unknown addict overdosed while in police custody, the left torched American cities for months. In contrast, a prominent conservative was assassinated, and the only cost extracted from the left was one failing talk show host and some TikTok blabbermouths losing their jobs. Even that tiny price triggered outrage.

Violence pays

When FCC Chair Brendan Carr flagged Kimmel’s violation, progressives shrieked about “fascism” and “the end of free speech.” The irony was grotesque: Kirk had just been killed for exercising his free speech.

Meanwhile, major Democrats piled on. Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) smeared Kirk’s character before he was buried. Keith Olbermann threatened to kill CNN commentator Scott Jennings before issuing a flimsy apology. Left-wing influencers rushed to declare allegiance to Antifa, a group with a long record of violence. Whatever pretense of unity had existed collapsed in less than 24 hours.

Soon threats flooded ABC affiliates. One man — a former teachers’ union lawyer! — even sprayed bullets into a station window. That was enough for Sinclair Media, ABC’s largest affiliate group, to pull a planned Kirk tribute and restore late-night programming. ABC then confirmed that Kimmel himself would return in that slot. The terrorists had won.

A partial retreat

Credit where due: After another wave of pressure, Sinclair and Nexstar, another major affiliate group, refused to air Kimmel until he apologized. Together they represent about 70 of ABC’s 250 affiliates, including major markets such as Washington, Seattle, and Portland. That is significant — but still insufficient.

Reports indicate that Kimmel could have resolved the issue early simply by apologizing. He refused. He bet that his Hollywood allies and violent extremists would clear a path for his return. He was right.

RELATED: I experienced Jimmy Kimmel’s lies firsthand. His suspension is justice.

Photo by Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images

Incentives matter

Every parent knows what happens if you don’t punish bad behavior: It repeats and often escalates. The same holds true in politics. When the left sees it can assault conservative speakers, burn cities, threaten opponents, shoot presidents, assassinate leaders, and face no serious consequences, it learns the obvious lesson: Violence works.

The right, paralyzed by fear of bad press, has given the left a free pass. That timidity has only encouraged more bloodshed.

Now Trump has signed an executive order declaring Antifa a terrorist organization. JD Vance and Stephen Miller have pledged to dismantle the networks funding leftist extremism. That is overdue but necessary. If justice is not swift and severe, the killings will continue — because the killers believe they are entitled to keep winning.

Nexstar keeps Kimmel off the air despite Elizabeth Warren's incessant whining



Disney's ABC may not have the stomach or the desire to stand up to the liberal mob, but there evidently remain some organizations that do.

Nexstar Media Group — a Texas-headquartered media company that owns hundreds of televisions stations, including 32 stations affiliated with Disney's ABC television network — infuriated liberals on Sept. 17 with its announcement that it would cease carrying "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" for the foreseeable future.

'This censorship of Kimmel reeks of corruption.'

Nexstar, like the Sinclair Broadcast Group, which similarly pre-empted the poorly performing show, cited as cause Kimmel's desperate attempt to suggest that the homosexual leftist arrested for allegedly assassinating Charlie Kirk supported MAGA.

"We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it," Kimmel said on September 15.

While ABC subsequently announced that it was suspending the show, it caved amid backlash from Hollywood script readers, Democrats, and liberal activists. Nexstar and Sinclair, however, stood their ground, prompting even more apoplexy on the left.

RELATED: 'Rest in peace, wheezy': Jimmy Kimmel's legacy of late-night demonization and hatred

Photo by David Russell/Disney via Getty Images

Several hours after Nexstar announced on Tuesday that it was standing by its initial decision "pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve," Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren claimed that the company's programming decision constituted censorship.

The failed presidential candidate tweeted, "Two companies — Nexstar and Sinclair — control hundreds of local TV stations and have business deals pending Donald Trump's approval. They won't air Kimmel tonight."

Warren insinuated that Nexstar is trying to appease President Donald Trump and his allies to ensure that its planned $6.2 billion purchase of Tegna, a competitor that owns 13 ABC affiliate stations, receives approval from the Federal Communications Commission.

"This censorship of Kimmel reeks of corruption," Warren said.

Democratic Sens. Ed Markey (Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (Md.), and Ron Wyden (Ore.) joined Warren in penning a letter to both Perry Sook, chairman of Nexstar, and Sinclair CEO Christopher Ripley on Tuesday, whining about the companies' decision to take Kimmel's show off the air.

"If you suspended a late-night comedian's show in part to seek regulatory favors from the administration, you have not only assisted the administration in eroding First Amendment freedoms but also create the appearance of a possible quid-pro-quo arrangement that could implicate federal anti-corruption laws," the Democrats' letter reads.

"If Nexstar or Sinclair traded the censorship of a critic of the administration for official acts by the Trump administration, your companies are not only complicit in an alarming trampling of free speech rights but also risk running afoul of federal law," the letter continues.

The Democratic lawmakers' concern-mongering wasn't enough to make Nexstar fall in line.

In a statement shared with Blaze News early Wednesday afternoon, the company noted, "Nexstar is continuing to evaluate the status of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' on our ABC-affiliated local television stations, and the show will be pre-empted while we do so."

"We are engaged in productive discussions with executives at the Walt Disney Company, with a focus on ensuring the program reflects and respects the diverse interests of the communities we serve," the company added.

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Kimmel Backers Accusing FCC Of ‘Authoritarianism’ Silent On Democrats’ Threats Against Carr, Broadcasters

Private TV station owners are not obligated under federal law to publicize certain content. Democrats accused them of quid pro quo anyway.

Jimmy Kimmel Didn’t Utter This Two-Word Phrase When He Returned From Being Suspended

'I get why you’re upset'

66 ABC Affiliates Won’t Air Jimmy Kimmel After Nexstar Holds Firm

Nexstar, the owner of numerous local ABC affiliate stations, is holding firm on its pledge not to show Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show after the host lied about Charlie Kirk’s assassin. Nexstar’s announcement comes one day after Sinclair, another owner of local affiliates, made the same move, bringing the total number of affiliates that will […]

Nexstar stands its ground, keeps blocking Kimmel's show



Nexstar announced on Sept. 17 that its owned and partner television stations affiliated with Disney's ABC television network would cease carrying "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" for the foreseeable future. The company cited Kimmel's comments, namely his false suggestion that the homosexual leftist arrested for allegedly assassinating Charlie Kirk is a Trump supporter and a member of the MAGA movement.

'We stand by that decision.'

This was a consequential move, not only because Nexstar owns 32 ABC affiliates out of a total of 200 stations but because this got the ball rolling for Sinclair Broadcast Group to follow suit and ABC to announce that it was suspending the poorly performing show.

RELATED: ABC backtracks on Kimmel suspension days after a radical suspect shoots up an affiliate station

Photo by Michael Le Brecht/Disney via Getty Images

ABC buckled and reversed its suspension; however, Sinclair indicated on Monday that it "will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming."

Nexstar alerted Blaze News on Tuesday morning that it too would be holding its ground.

The company said in a statement, "We made a decision last week to pre-empt 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' following what ABC referred to as Mr. Kimmel’s 'ill-timed and insensitive' comments at a critical time in our national discourse. We stand by that decision pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve."

"In the meantime, we note that 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' will be available nationwide on multiple Disney-owned streaming products, while our stations will focus on continuing to produce local news and other programming relevant to their respective markets," added the statement.

Blaze News has reached out to Disney for comment.

This is a developing story.

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ABC backtracks on Kimmel suspension days after a radical suspect shoots up an affiliate station



Disney temporarily suspended the poorly performing "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" show from its ABC television network on Sept. 17 after the show's eponymous host suggested that the homosexual leftist arrested for allegedly assassinating Charlie Kirk is a Trump supporter and a member of the MAGA movement — an assertion that has no factual basis.

In the wake of the suspension, ABC and two key owners of the network's affiliate stations — Sinclair and Nexstar, the latter of which was first to say it would pull the show — faced significant backlash from a motley crew of Democrat lawmakers, leftist activists, and Hollywood script-readers.

'They're next.'

Just days into the left's temper tantrum over the programming change, a radical allegedly launched an attack on an ABC affiliate station.

On Friday, someone opened fire on the Tegna-owned KXTV/ABC 10 television station in Sacramento while it was occupied. According to the amended criminal complaint, three apparent bullet holes were discovered in a north window of the station's lobby, and crime scene investigators later recovered a spent projectile from a doorway inside the building.

Tegna said in a statement obtained by KCRA-TV, "We can confirm that shots were fired into our station at KXTV earlier today. While details are still limited, importantly all of our employees are safe and unharmed."

The Sacramento Police Department arrested Anibal Hernandez Santana shortly after the attack and charged him with assault with a firearm, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, and willful discharge of a firearm in a negligent manner. Police cut him loose on bail the following day.

RELATED: 'Rest in peace, wheezy': Jimmy Kimmel's legacy of late-night demonization and hatred

Photo by David Russell/Disney via Getty Images

Detectives with the Sacramento Police Department subsequently searched Santana's vehicle and discovered a handwritten note that allegedly read, "For hiding Epstein & ignoring red flags. Do not support Patel, Bongino, & AG Pam Bondie [sic]. They're next. – C.K. from above," said the complaint.

Just hours after his release on Saturday, the FBI arrested Santana and slapped him with federal charges..

The apparent critic of the Trump administration faces three counts: possession of a firearm within a school zone, discharge of a firearm within a school zone, and interference with a radio communication station.

If convicted on the federal counts, Santana, presently being held on a federal hold at the Sacramento County Main Jail, faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the charge of discharging a firearm within a school zone. He also faces up to a year in prison and a $10,000 fine for the charge of interfering with a radio communication station.

Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho reportedly indicated that the evidence suggests the shooting was a politically motivated crime but did not say whether prosecutors believe the suspect targeted the ABC affiliate over Kimmel's suspension.

An X account that allegedly belongs to Santana is replete with liberal memes and anti-Trump commentary.

On Sept. 18, the X user Al Hernandez Santana wrote, "Where is a good heart attack when we need it the most?? Please Join in my thoughts and prayers for the physical demise of our fearful leader."

'He's an unrepentant liar, and affiliates have every right to demand accountability.'

A week earlier, the X user wrote, "Our thoughts and prayers are with Charlie Kirk and his family. May the prudence of his cost-benefit analysis for 2A rights vs. school shootings live on forever."

"The authoritarian oligarchy is now complete. CBS+ caving, big law firms in DC, the subservients FBI and AG, university presidents stepping down, fan boys SCOTUS, public radio, ICE goons. We are going to have to 'fight like hell'. Rules don't apply if election was stolen. FIGHT," the user tweeted in July.

Blaze News has reached out to Disney, Nexstar, and Sinclair for comment regarding whether threats have played a role in recent programming decisions. Blaze News has also reached out to the FBI for comment.

The day of the Sacramento shooting, Sinclair announced that it would "continue to air ABC network programming as scheduled in the late-night time period."

While Sinclair initially planned to run a Charlie Kirk special in Kimmel's time slot on Friday, the company opted instead to run the special on "The National News Desk" YouTube channel.

Despite wavering on the Kirk special, Sinclair announced on Monday evening that it "will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming."

Andrew Kolvet, executive producer of "The Charlie Kirk Show," lauded Sinclair for blocking Kimmel's show and noted that "Kimmel has yet to apologize for saying the assassin was MAGA, and he was reportedly going to double down. He's an unrepentant liar, and affiliates have every right to demand accountability."

It's presently unclear whether Nexstar — set to acquire Tegna, which owns the shot-up affiliate ABC station — will similarly keep Kimmel off the air.

Disney, which owns ABC, announced just days after a suspect shot up the affiliate station that it was bringing Kimmel's show back.

"Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country," read the statement from Disney.

"It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive," the company added. "We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday."

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