Colbert Calls Out CBS Over Blocked Interview With Texas Senate Candidate

Late-night host says network lawyers barred appearance due to FCC's stricter enforcement of equal time rules.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Late-night host Stephen Colbert revealed on air that CBS network lawyers had blocked him from interviewing Texas state representative James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, due to the FCC's recent stricter enforcement of equal time rules for political candidates on broadcast TV. Colbert criticized the FCC's actions under Chairman Brendan Carr as an attempt by the Trump administration to 'silence anyone who says anything bad about Trump on TV'.

Why it matters

The FCC's crackdown on the equal time rule for political candidates threatens to limit free speech and the ability of late-night shows and other broadcast media to feature political figures, especially those critical of the Republican party and former President Trump. This could have a chilling effect on political discourse and coverage ahead of the 2028 elections.

The details

Colbert said CBS network lawyers directly told the show they could not have Talarico as a guest due to the FCC's new guidance on equal time rules under Chairman Brendan Carr. The rules require broadcasters to provide the same airtime to rival political candidates if requested. Typically, late-night shows have been exempt from these regulations, but Carr has questioned whether they deserve that exemption. Colbert argued this is an attempt by the 'Trump administration' to 'silence anyone who says anything bad about Trump on TV'.

  • On February 17, 2026, Colbert revealed on 'The Late Show' that CBS lawyers had blocked Talarico from appearing as a guest.
  • Earlier in 2026, ABC's 'The View' featured both Talarico and his Democratic primary rival Jasmine Crockett, prompting an FCC investigation.

The players

Stephen Colbert

The host of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' on CBS.

James Talarico

A Texas state representative and Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate.

Brendan Carr

The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) who has pushed for stricter enforcement of the equal time rule for political candidates on broadcast TV.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president whose administration's policies Colbert accused of driving the FCC's crackdown on equal time rules.

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What they’re saying

“Let's just call this what it is. Donald Trump's administration wants to silence anyone who says anything bad about Trump on TV, because all Trump does is watch TV.”

— Stephen Colbert, Host, 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert)

“Now they are trying to control what we watch, what we say, what we read. And this is the most dangerous kind of cancel culture, the kind that comes from the top.”

— James Talarico, Texas State Representative and Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert)

What’s next

The FCC is expected to continue investigating the appearances of political candidates on late-night and daytime talk shows as it seeks to enforce the equal time rule more strictly.

The takeaway

The FCC's crackdown on equal time rules for political candidates on broadcast TV threatens to limit free speech and political discourse, as networks become wary of featuring certain candidates critical of the Republican party and former President Trump. This could have a chilling effect on coverage of the 2028 elections.