Republicans Want to Cancel Big Bird

In a move that surprises absolutely no one, Brendan Carr, the newly minted chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has decided to flex his regulatory muscles by launching an investigation into NPR and PBS. Yes, you read that right. The same NPR that brings you thoughtful journalism and the same PBS that taught your kids how to count with a giant yellow bird are now under the GOP’s microscope. Because apparently, Big Bird is a threat to democracy.

Let’s be real: this isn’t about “fairness” or “accountability.” This is the latest chapter in the Republican Party’s long-standing tradition of trying to silence anything that doesn’t align with their preferred narrative. NPR and PBS have been in their crosshairs for decades, not because they’re biased, but because they dare to tell the truth. And nothing terrifies the GOP more than the truth.

For years, Republicans have whined about NPR and PBS being “too liberal.” Too liberal for what? Teaching kids the alphabet? Giving a platform to diverse voices? Reporting on climate change? Oh, the horror! The GOP’s objections have always been laughably transparent. They don’t want a fair and balanced media landscape—they want a media landscape that parrots their talking points and ignores inconvenient facts.

And now, under the guise of an “investigation,” they’re trying to strong-arm these institutions into submission. It’s censorship dressed up as concern. It’s an attempt to control what we hear, what we learn, and what we say. Because if there’s one thing Republicans can’t stand, it’s an informed public.

But let’s not forget the real victim in all of this: Sesame Street. That’s right, folks. The GOP’s war on truth has now extended to a show that teaches kids about sharing, kindness, and the letter “W.” Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Oscar the Grouch are apparently too woke for Brendan Carr and his cronies. What’s next? Are they going to investigate Mr. Rogers for being too nice? Maybe they’ll go after Reading Rainbow for promoting literacy.

The irony here is almost too much to bear. The party that claims to champion free speech is doing everything in its power to stifle it. They want to cancel Sesame Street, not because it’s harmful, but because it represents something they can’t control: a world where facts matter, where empathy is valued, and where Big Bird can exist without fear of being investigated by the FCC.

So, let’s call this what it is: a pathetic attempt to silence the truth and censor what we can say. Because if Republicans can’t control the narrative, they’ll just try to shut it down. But here’s the thing: you can’t cancel the truth. And you definitely can’t cancel Sesame Street. Big Bird has been through worse than this, and he’ll survive Brendan Carr too.

In the meantime, maybe the GOP should take a page out of Sesame Street’s book and learn how to play nice. But something tells me that’s a lesson they’re not ready for.