Late-night host Stephen Colbert revealed that his scheduled interview with Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico did not air on Monday night’s show due to concerns from the network about violating regulatory guidelines set by the Trump administration regarding equal time for political candidates. The issue arose just before early voting commenced in the Texas primary elections, featuring highly contested Senate nomination races.
Colbert explained on his program, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” that network lawyers directly informed them that they were not permitted to have Talarico as a guest on the broadcast. Furthermore, he shared that they were instructed not to mention the absence of Talarico on the show. Despite these restrictions, Colbert addressed the situation on air, highlighting the network’s reluctance to discuss the matter.
CBS disputed Colbert’s statement, refuting the claim that they prohibited the interview with Talarico. Instead, CBS clarified that legal advice was provided, cautioning that featuring Talarico on the show could potentially trigger the FCC equal-time rule.
Talarico is actively competing for the Democratic nomination amidst changing broadcast guidelines issued during the Trump administration that influence how media outlets engage with political candidates. His primary opponent, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, also commands a national presence through viral social media content.
On the Republican side, incumbent Sen. John Cornyn faces a tough challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt in the Senate race. Paxton ramped up his campaign with a rally in Tyler, Texas, on Monday night.
Talarico shared a snippet of his interview with Colbert on X, labeling it as “the interview Donald Trump didn’t want you to see.” He is scheduled to hold a rally in Austin on Tuesday evening.
The FCC recently issued guidance warning talk show hosts about providing equal time to political candidates, sparking discussions about the application of this rule to late-night and daytime programming. Colbert emphasized that while the equal time rule applies to broadcast platforms, it does not extend to streaming services. Consequently, his interview with Talarico was exclusively posted online and not broadcasted.
As the political landscape evolves, the competition intensifies among candidates vying for nominations, with media outlets navigating regulatory complexities and political dynamics. The upcoming primary elections in Texas are expected to shape the trajectory of the Senate race, with candidates strategizing to secure voter support and advance their campaigns.