CBS Blocks Colbert from Airing Interview with Texas Politician

Network lawyers cited FCC regulations in barring the segment, raising concerns over free speech and political censorship.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Stephen Colbert revealed on his late-night show that CBS blocked him from airing an interview with Texas state Rep. James Talarico, a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate. Colbert said the network's lawyers cited concerns over FCC regulations requiring equal airtime for political candidates. The move has sparked criticism over potential censorship and corporate capitulation to political pressure.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between talk show hosts, broadcasters, and the FCC over political coverage and free speech rights. It raises questions about the extent of the FCC's authority to regulate political content and whether networks are too quick to self-censor to avoid potential regulatory issues.

The details

Colbert told his audience that CBS lawyers directly called the show to say they could not air the interview with Talarico, and that he was even prohibited from mentioning that the interview was not happening. Colbert suggested the network was concerned about drawing the ire of the FCC, which last month issued guidance reminding networks of the 1934 law requiring equal airtime for political candidates.

  • On February 17, 2026, Colbert revealed CBS blocked him from airing the interview with Talarico.
  • In January 2026, the FCC issued guidance on the equal airtime law for political candidates.

The players

Stephen Colbert

The host of the late-night CBS television program The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

James Talarico

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

CBS

The American commercial broadcast television and radio network that airs The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

The independent agency of the United States government that regulates communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable across the country.

Anna Gomez

A commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission who criticized CBS's decision to block the Talarico interview.

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What they’re saying

“I think [President] Donald Trump is worried we're about to flip Texas. This is the party that ran against cancel culture. Now they're trying to control what we watch, what we say, and what we read.”

— James Talarico, Texas state representative and U.S. Senate candidate (CNBC)

“CBS is fully protected under the First Amendment to determine what interviews it airs, which makes its decision to yield to political pressure all the more disappointing. It is no secret that Paramount, CBS's parent company, has regulatory matters before the government, but corporate interests cannot justify retreating from airing newsworthy content.”

— Anna Gomez, FCC Commissioner (CNBC)

What’s next

The FCC is expected to investigate whether CBS's decision to block the Talarico interview violated the agency's equal airtime regulations for political candidates.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the delicate balance between broadcasters' First Amendment rights, the FCC's regulatory authority, and the need to ensure fair and unbiased political coverage. It underscores the ongoing challenges faced by media organizations navigating an increasingly polarized political landscape.