Donald Trump urged the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate possible recourse against comedy shows like "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and "Saturday Night Live" for their material about the then-president, unnamed sources familiar with the situation told The Daily Beast.
Two people close to the matter -- but who were not named -- allegedly told the publication the former president "asked advisers and lawyers in early 2019 about what the Federal Communications Commission, the courts systems and – most confusingly to some Trump lieutenants – the Department of Justice could do to probe or mitigate SNL, Jimmy Kimmel and other late-night comedy mischief-makers."
"It was more annoying than alarming, to be honest with you," one source said of the requests.
Trump, known for his repeated attacks against SNL and Kimmel on Twitter, had previously suggested via the platform in March 2019 the FCC and DOJ investigate the programs. He seemed "disappointed" to learn the federal agencies couldn’t do anything to stem the tide of material his administration was garnering, sources explained.
The president also had to be reminded several times the shows were satire and that the "equal time" rule – which pertains to political candidates for office – didn’t apply to the situation and wasn’t contained in the U.S. Constitution, the report said.
SNL and Kimmel declined to comment for the story, as did Trump's campaign.
The likely 2024 presidential candidate has since been banned from social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook following his role in the deadly 2021 U.S. Capitol riot.
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