FCC Chair Denies Censoring Colbert Interview, Calls It 'Hoax'

Carr claims CBS made decision to not air interview for 'purely financial reasons', not due to FCC threats.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr denied that the government censored CBS 'Late Show' host Stephen Colbert after the network forbid him from airing an interview with a U.S. Senate candidate. Carr blamed Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D) of committing a 'hoax' related to CBS not airing his interview, claiming Talarico 'took advantage' of the media's 'prior conceptions' to raise money and get clicks. However, Colbert had first brought up the censorship to his audience, not Talarico.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the FCC, media companies, and political candidates over issues of censorship, equal time rules, and the role of government regulation in late-night television. It raises questions about the FCC's authority, the media's independence, and the ability of political candidates to access popular media platforms.

The details

Colbert said CBS discouraged Talarico as a guest, seemingly fearing the FCC would impose an equal-time rule that hasn't previously been used for late-night talk shows. Talarico's interview instead aired on the 'Late Show' YouTube channel, where it quickly amassed millions of views and the campaign said it raised $2.5 million within 24 hours. Carr claimed that Congress passed the equal-time rule so 'the media elites in Hollywood and New York' can't 'pick the winners and losers in primaries'.

  • On Monday, Colbert first brought up the censorship to his audience.
  • On Wednesday, Carr denied the government censored Colbert's interview.

The players

Brendan Carr

The Chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Stephen Colbert

The host of the CBS 'Late Show'.

James Talarico

A Texas state Representative and U.S. Senate candidate whose interview was not aired on Colbert's show.

Jasmine Crockett

A U.S. Representative from Texas who is running against Talarico in the Democratic primary for a U.S. Senate seat.

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What they’re saying

“There was no censorship here at all.”

— Brendan Carr, FCC Chair (huffpost.com)

“You had a Democrat candidate who understood the way the news media works and he took advantage of all of your, sort of, prior conceptions, to run a hoax, apparently for the purpose of raising money and getting clicks.”

— Brendan Carr, FCC Chair (huffpost.com)

“We were told in no uncertain terms by our network's lawyers ― who called us directly ― that we could not have [Talarico] on the broadcast.”

— Stephen Colbert (huffpost.com)

“Then I was told, in some uncertain terms, that not only could I not have him on, I could not mention me not having him on.”

— Stephen Colbert (huffpost.com)

What’s next

The FCC has not yet taken any formal action to change the equal-time rules for late-night television, but the debate over the issue is likely to continue.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between government regulation, media independence, and political access, as well as the potential for political candidates to leverage media narratives for their own gain. It underscores the complex balancing act faced by media companies in navigating these issues.